HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College softball team officially released their schedule for the 2026 season on Wednesday. 

The Pilgrims are set to begin their season on March 2nd at the Space Coast Spring Games being held in Melbourne, Fla. The team will play Concordia College (Minn.) in their official season opener on Monday at 10:00 AM before then going on to play nine more games in five days. They will be rounding out the games against Shenandoah University on March 7th. 

NEC returns home with a two-week break between contests before beginning Great Northeast Atlantic Conference (GNAC) on March 21st for a doubleheader against Lasell University in Newton, Mass. The teams' home opener will be played against newly added varsity softball team Colby-Sawyer on March 29th at Old Concord Road Field.  

After a demanding stretch with three road doubleheaders in four days, the 'Grims will return to Old Concord Road Field to face Simmons University on April 4th in a Saturday doubleheader at 12 and 2. They will play doubleheaders against conference opponents Rivier, Elms, and Norwich, before taking a GNAC break to play Bay Path and Plymouth State in mid-April. 

The 'Grims will face a rematch of last year's GNAC Play-In round matchup against Saint Joseph's (Maine) on Saturday, April 18th in their second to last doubleheader of the season. To round out the regular season, the team will host Mitchell College on Saturday, April 25th at 12 and 2.  

The GNAC Play-In Round is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29th and Pod Play starting May 1st and running through May 4th. The two-day Championship series will be held on May 9-May 10th. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.