LA JOLLA, Calif. – In just its sixth season competing at the NCAA Division I level, the UC San Diego Tritons softball team continued to show its rapid rise within the Big West Conference. Led by head coach Nikki Palmer in her second season at the helm, the Tritons combined a young roster, explosive offense, and resilient team culture to produce one of the most memorable seasons in program history.

UC San Diego finished the year 23-28 overall and 12-15 in conference play, earning a sixth-place finish in the Big West and advancing to the Big West Championship for just the second time in program history. But beyond the standings, the 2026 season will be remembered for the way the Tritons rewrote the record book.

The Tritons set three major single-season program records offensively, including most RBIs in program history with 273, breaking a 14-year-old record. They also shattered 22-year-old records for both home runs (41) and slugging percentage (.467), establishing themselves as one of the most dangerous offensive lineups in the program's Division I era.

"We didn't have a lot of power numbers last year," Palmer said. "It was really something that we needed to improve on this year."

That improvement was evident throughout the lineup. Maalia Cherry delivered one of the greatest offensive seasons in UC San Diego Division I history, setting a new program record with 15 home runs while tying the single-season RBI record with 50. Her breakout campaign earned her First Team All-Big West honors and a spot on the NFCA Division I All-Region Third Team.

"Cherry's a great human," Palmer said. "What people don't see is all the extra work that she puts in in the cages. She's incredibly coachable and takes her craft very seriously."

Several other Tritons also etched their names into the program record book. Tyla Arbuckle finished sixth in program history in batting average, while Haley Garcia climbed to fifth in runs scored and tied for fourth in triples. Zara Wasserman entered the top 10 in both doubles and putouts.

Five Tritons earned All-Big West recognition, with Cherry and Wasserman leading the way. Arbuckle and Garcia earned honorable mention honors, while freshman pitcher Callie Howard was named to the conference's All-Freshman Team after stepping into a significant role in the circle during her first collegiate season.

"Young pitchers had to learn fast," Palmer said. "A lot of good mistakes were made this year to prepare us for the coming seasons."

Howard embraced the challenge of contributing immediately as part of a youthful pitching staff.

"When my team needs me, I'll be ready," Howard said. "That comes with just working hard in practice and the summer leading up to it."

The Tritons' success was fueled not only by their offensive firepower, but also by a team chemistry that players consistently described as a sisterhood. With a roster built largely around underclassmen and transfers, the team quickly formed a close-knit bond that translated onto the field.

"I would definitely call it a sisterhood," Arbuckle said. "We lift each other up and push each other as hard as we can."

That chemistry became especially important during adversity. Injuries throughout the season forced players into unfamiliar roles, but the Tritons responded with a next-player-up mentality.
"We have this thing on the team where good talent's flexible," Palmer said. "The next person up."

Players like Jackie Tremper, Ryanna Alano, Tori Hinostro, and Arbuckle all stepped into new responsibilities throughout the year, helping UC San Diego stay competitive despite the challenges. Palmer said those experiences ultimately strengthened the group and accelerated the team's development.

For veterans like Wasserman and Garcia, helping guide the younger players through those moments became one of the most rewarding parts of the season.

"I remember being a freshman, so I know the stress of it all," Wasserman said. "We're all going through the same thing together."

Garcia echoed that sentiment, embracing a leadership role both on and off the field.

"Having those girls under my wing really helped our dynamic on the field," Garcia said.

The Tritons also delivered several signature moments throughout the season, including series sweeps over Cal Poly and CSU Bakersfield. The Bakersfield series proved especially pivotal, helping UC San Diego secure its spot in the conference tournament.

"That sweep was really important," Arbuckle said. "Our energy was just hit after hit after hit. We all did our part."

Wasserman pointed to the team's confidence during those stretches as a defining characteristic of the group.

"When we knew we were winning, we knew we were winning," she said. "It was just radiating from the dugout."

Even beyond the wins and records, players emphasized the relationships and memories built throughout the season. Garcia reflected on moments spent together in hotel lobbies during road trips, doing hair, filming TikToks, and simply enjoying each other's company.

"I just think those are the fun little memories that I'll carry forever," Garcia said.

As the Tritons look ahead, there is widespread optimism surrounding the future of the program. Nearly the entire core of the roster returns next season, including a large group of freshmen who gained valuable Division I experience this spring.

"I think our future is really bright," Palmer said.

Players share that belief. After navigating the challenges of a young roster, close games, injuries, and the demands of Division I softball together, the Tritons believe this season laid the foundation for something even bigger.

"Now that we have a year of experience," Arbuckle said, "we're going to come back better than ever."

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.