The 2026 softball season begins on Friday February 6 at Vernon College in Texas for the Lady Trojans and head coach Steve Swazo. 

Swazo, who is entering his 20th year at the helm, will have twenty team members who are ready to contend for a Region 9 championship. 

"I am very excited to get going and see what this team can do," the head coach said. "I believe we have great depth at every position and that should help us as the season progresses."

The Lady Trojans return twelve sophomores who have experience including returning All-Region selections Leigha Lucero, a first baseman and Jaylyn Kelly, an outfielder. Other returning sophomores with plenty of playing experience are Teren Sanchez, Hannah Abeyta, Abigail Urista, Maya Dickerson, Jaslyn Barela, Kyra Zamora, Danae Chavira, Isabella Bruntz, Josie Prevedel and Kyana Griskevich. 

"I'm expecting great things from my sophomore class," Swazo said. "Each one has matured and gotten stronger and will definitely help us at all positions."

The team will also have eight freshmen that will take part in their first college games. They are Jasmine Tafoya, Macee Santistevan, Nevaeh Lee, Calee Sharp, Danika Bernal, Trinity Rubidoux, Zoie Linville and Alessa Cantoria. 

"My freshmen will have to grow up quickly and adapt to the faster pace college game because I will need them to contribute right away," the coach said. "They are part of that depth I spoke about earlier and will be expected to provide us with some quality innings."

The Trojans play their first twelve games on the road in Texas, opening on February 6 at Vernon College. They then face Clarendon College on February 7. The following weekend will be an eight-game road trip that includes #6 ranked Odessa College, Midland College, Howard College and Frank Phillips College. 

The first home game for the Lady Trojans will be February 18 against Hill College followed by games against Utah Eastern, Colby and Garden City on February 20-21. Trinidad's first conference game will be March 7-8 against #13 ranked McCook Community College for a four-game series. 

"Our non-conference schedule will definitely test us since we are playing some very good teams," Swazo said. "But that's the point. We need to be battle tested early before we begin conference play and our early schedule will do that."

Coaches are saying within the region that McCook is the team to beat since they finished eighth at the NJCAA College World Series a year ago. 

"McCook is definitely one of the top teams in the region as they have quite a few starters from that team a year ago and brought in some quality freshmen as well," Swazo said. "But I've been coaching this game for a long time and rankings mean nothing. It's a long season and we have 32 conference games. My goal with our team is to win enough conference games to qualify for the Region 9 Tournament and then play our best softball in the month of May. If this team can do that then they should be playing for a Region 9 Championship."