YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris College softball has released its 2026 regular season schedule, a slate highlighted by an extensive early stretch away from home, challenging neutral-site tournaments, and a Conference Carolinas lineup designed to prepare the Mountain Lions for postseason play. 

After winning 22 games a season ago despite battling significant injuries, the Mountain Lions enter 2026 positioned for a rebound campaign under the leadership of head coach Jessie Homesley (6th season), with the schedule providing early tests and opportunities for growth. Young Harris also return key seniors: Shelby Duncan, Gracie Hughes, and Bailee Brown.

INSIDE THE SCHEDULE:

Young Harris opens the 2026 season on Saturday, Jan. 31, with Opening Day doubleheader action against Georgia College in Milledgeville, Ga. The Mountain Lions will face the Bobcats twice before remaining on the road to take on Florida Southern College on Sunday, Feb. 1, continuing a challenging opening weekend away from home. 

The early portion of the schedule features heavy neutral-site competition, beginning Feb. 6–8 in Chattanooga, Tenn., where YHC will face Union University, UVA Wise, the University of Montevallo, the University of West Florida, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville over a three-day stretch. 

Young Harris makes its home debut on Tuesday, Feb. 10, hosting Lee University for a doubleheader at the YHC Softball Field. The Mountain Lions then return to neutral-site play Feb. 13–14 in Greenwood, S.C., facing Middle Georgia State, Lander University, and Emory & Henry University. 

The Mountain Lions return home on Saturday, Feb. 21, to host Lenoir-Rhyne University in a doubleheader, before heading back on the road Sunday, Feb. 22, for a doubleheader at Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tenn. 

Rivalry action highlights the end of February as Young Harris hosts the Battle of Blood Mountain on Saturday, Feb. 28, welcoming the University of North Georgia for a home doubleheader. 

Conference Carolinas play begins in early March, with the Mountain Lions opening league action on the road at North Greenville University on March 3. Young Harris then returns home to host Erskine College on March 7 before traveling to Shorter University on March 11. 

Conference home action continues March 13–14 at the YHC Softball Field, as the Mountain Lions host Emmanuel University in the Roar War rivalry, followed by a doubleheader against Francis Marion University. YHC remains at home the following week, hosting UNC Pembroke on March 20 and Chowan University on March 21. 

The Mountain Lions then embark on a lengthy conference road stretch, traveling to Southern Wesleyan University on March 25, Lees-McRae College on March 27, and King University on March 28. Rivalry play resumes on April 1 with a Roar War doubleheader at Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs, Ga. 

Young Harris returns home April 10–11 to host Shorter University and Southern Wesleyan University in Conference Carolinas action before closing the regular season on the road with a doubleheader at Erskine College on Saturday, April 18, in Due West, S.C. 

POSTSEASON:

The Conference Carolinas Softball Tournament will be held April 23–26 in Duncan, S.C., at Tyger River Park.