UCO Set To Open Season Sunday in Missouri

No. 11-ranked Bronchos To Play Six Games in Three Days at Branson Leadoff Classic

BRANSON, Mo. – No. 11 Central Oklahoma is set to open the 2026 softball campaign Sunday at the Branson Leadoff Classic, with the Bronchos scheduled to play six games in three days at the Branson Rec-Plex Facility.

Winter weather forced the event to move from a Friday-Saturday-Sunday event to Sunday-Monday-Tuesday and UCO is slated to play two games each day.

The Bronchos open Sunday at 1 p.m. against Sioux Falls of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference before taking on Great American Conference member Arkansas Tech at 3:30. UCO returns Monday to face Minnesota-Crookston of the NSIC at 11 a.m. and Arkansas-Monticello of the GAC at 1 p.m.

Central wraps up with Tuesday against two Great Lakes Valley Conference members, playing Missouri S&T at 11 a.m. and McKendree at 1 p.m.

"I can't wait to take the field with this team," said first-year head coach Sam Maples, who took over the reigns last summer after spending six seasons at Oklahoma Baptist. "We have a great mix of experienced returners and young talent. They are a blast to coach because they're hungry to learn and compete.

"I'm proud already of how they developed over the fall and stepped into roles with a team-first mentality. You can't ask for more than that as a coach."

The Bronchos have 10 players back from last year's 52-11 team that captured the MIAA and Central Regional titles in advancing to the Division II World Series. UCO added 11 newcomers, with several of those expected to make an immediate impact.

All-American and two-time NFCA Gold Glove selection Rylee Lemos leads the returners. The senior outfielder has started every game (183) of her stellar career and batted .384 with 14 doubles, 11 home runs, eight triples, 46 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases last season.

The Bronchos also have back a trio of Honorable Mention All-MIAA players in senior second baseman Rylee Anglen, senior catcher-first baseman Kennedy Clark and junior outfielder Brooklyn Ryan.

Anglen is one of the top defenders in the country and was a MIAA Gold Glove pick last year while hitting .310 with 33 RBI and 17 steals. Clark batted .326 with 40 RBI and Ryan had a .316 average with 21 RBI and 10 steals.

Junior Shelby Beard is the only experienced pitcher on a staff that includes four freshmen, with UCO excited to see the talented newcomers in action. Beard went 12-3 with two saves and a 2.15 earned run average last year.

Senior third baseman Sherri Mason and sophomore outfielder Mari Scott were part-time starters last year, while sophomores Kindal Biggs (catcher), Makenzie Fithian (outfield) and Brooklyn Lyles (first base) all lettered in back-up roles.

The Bronchos have a quick turnaround after the Branson opener, hosting the UCO/OC Softball Festival Feb. 6-8 at Gerry Pinkston Stadium. UCO will make its home debut at 4 p.m. Friday against Fort Lewis.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Rylee Anglen: IF; 5' 3"; Senior; L/R

#11 Shelby Beard: P; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#24 Kindal Biggs: C/OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#14 Kennedy Clark: C/1B; 5' 7"; Senior; L/L

#6 Makenzie Fithian: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R

#8 Rylee Lemos: OF; 5' 6"; Senior; L/R

#13 Brooklyn Lyles: IF; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#21 Sherri Mason: UT; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#7 Brooklyn Ryan: OF; 5' 4"; Junior; R/R

#27 Mari Scott: UT; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

Players Mentioned

#9 Rylee Anglen
: 5' 3"; Senior; L/R
: IF

#11 Shelby Beard
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: P

#24 Kindal Biggs
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: C/OF

#14 Kennedy Clark
: 5' 7"; Senior; L/L
: C/1B

#6 Makenzie Fithian
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#8 Rylee Lemos
: 5' 6"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#13 Brooklyn Lyles
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#21 Sherri Mason
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: UT

#7 Brooklyn Ryan
: 5' 4"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#27 Mari Scott
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: UT