TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team will launch its 2026 campaign with four games in three days at the Gulf Shores Invitational, starting Friday, Jan. 30, in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The RiverHawks will face a mix of regional NCAA Division II opponents, including teams from the Gulf South Conference (GSC), Peach Belt Conference (PBC), and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Northeastern State's only prior matchup among the four opponents came against Delta State in 2020.

Friday, Jan. 30
vs. (6) North Georgia, 11 a.m
vs. Delta State, 3:15 p.m.

North Georgia is coming off a historic 2025 campaign in which it finished atop the PBC regular season standings and advanced to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game.  The Nighthawks extended their postseason run into the NCAA Tournament, where they captured the NCAA Southeast Region title.

In the afternoon, the RiverHawks will face Delta State, picked to finish 11th in the GSC preseason coaches poll. The Lady Statesmen finished the 2025 season 12-35 overall and dropped its last nine games.

Due to weather conditions, Saturday's games are called off.

Sunday, Feb. 1
vs. Spring Hill, 10 a.m.
vs. Valdosta State, 12:15 p.m.

The RiverHawks begin Day 3 against Spring Hill, the SIAC preseason favorite. The Badgers placed multiple players on the All-SIAC Preseason Team.  

In the weekend finale, NSU will face Valdosta State, which was selected sixth in the GSC preseason poll following a 26-25 season.