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Congratulations to the Black Hawk College softball team for being ranked #21 nationally!
The Braves are heading into the Spring 2026 season as #21 out of 166 teams in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll released Jan. 20.
It’s the Braves’ first Top 25 national ranking under Josh Keener, the 2025 Region 4 Coach of the Year.
“We’re ready to get back to work after a strong 2025 season,” said the Braves’ third-year coach.
“As a staff, we’re excited about our mix of returning sophomores and new freshmen,” Keener said.
“Last year’s group set a new standard for our program,” he said. “We will aim to continue to raise that bar.”
2024-25 season successes
- Program record 48 wins
- Region 4 champions
- Arrowhead Athletic Conference champions – undefeated record of 20-0
- Midwest District A champions
- Competed in NJCAA Division II Softball World Series for first time since 2014
2024-25 Black Hawk College softball statistics
Returning players
- Camryn Carter – North Boone H.S. (IL) – pitcher – returning All-Conference
- Isabelle Nordwahl – Farmington H.S. (IL) – outfielder – returning All-Conference and All-Region
- Kaylie Pena – United Township H.S. (IL) – infielder – returning All-Conference
Local players
- Mikenna Culp – Pleasant Valley H.S. (IA) – outfielder
- Abby Dean – Sherrard H.S. (IL) – catcher
- Emily Dormire – Sherrard H.S. (IL) – first base
- Delanie Franklin – Davenport North H.S. (IA) – catcher
- Lainey Kunert – Orion H.S. (IL) – outfielder
- Lilli Lempke – Alleman H.S. (IL) – outfielder
- Lillian McDaniel – Rock Island H.S. (IL) – pitcher
- Celina Pena – Geneseo H.S. (IL) – infielder
- Macy Ray – Durant H.S. (IA) – infielder
- Amalia Serrano – Rock Island H.S. (IL) – pitcher
- Kaylynn Shorter – Davenport North H.S. (IA) – outfielder
Upcoming games
The Braves’ first games of 2026 are Saturday, Feb. 14 vs. Southwestern Community College and Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, IA.
Their first home games are Sunday, March 1 with two exhibition games vs. St. Ambrose University and Friday, March 6 with two games vs. Southeastern.
Spring 2026 Braves softball schedule