** During the month of July, EIUPanthers.com looks back at 14 events, moments and players that helped shape the 2025-26 academic year. **
 
Another banner year for Eastern Illinois softball as the Panthers won their third straight Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship and second straight OVC Tournament title.
 
EIU finished the season at 36-23 with a 23-3 record in the OVC.  After a tough start to open the season against one of the nation's hardest strength of schedules, EIU ripped off two long win streaks including a 15-game win streak in the middle of the season which ranked as one of the top ten longest in the nation at the time.
 
The Panthers went on to win their second straight OVC Tournament title with Karlie McKenzie earning OVC Tournament MVP honors for the second straight season.   Abbi Hatton, Sophia Olman and Bryanna French joined McKenzie on the OVC All-Tournament team.
 
During the regular season, the coaching tandem of co-head coaches Kristi Paulson and Dan Paulson were named the OVC Coaches of the Year while Lizzie Stiverson was the OVC Player of the Year.  Olman, French and Alisha Frederick earned first team All-OVC honors with Stiverson while Rylan Gick was a second team All-OVC selection.  Gick and Chloe Wamboldt earned All-OVC Newcomer Team honors. 
 
EIU's season came to an end in the NCAA Tournament as the Panthers played in the Stillwater, Oklahoma Regional facing nationally ranked Oklahoma State and Princeton.


Year In Review
No. 14 - EIU Gives Back In The Community
No. 13 - Will Klein Pitches In World Series
No. 12 - EIU Spring Fling Event Returns To Campus
No. 11 - EIU Plays Memorable Opponents 
No. 10 - EIU's OVC Coaches of the Year
No. 9 - EIU's OVC Players of the Year
No. 8 - EIU Dedicates Gardella Family Court at McAfee Gym
No. 7 - EIU Dedicates Frost Field For Baseball
No. 6 - EIU Individuals and Teams Set Records
No. 5 - EIU men's track & field wins OVC Outdoor Championship
No. 4 - EIU Volleyball Wins OVC Title, Makes NCAA Tournament