Saint Leo University captured the NCAA Division II softball national championship on June 3, completing a landmark season with a two‑game sweep of McKendree University in the title series and a 54‑3‑1 overall record. The university community now prepares to welcome the Lions home.
The team is scheduled to arrive back in St. Leo, about 30 minutes north of Tampa, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local residents are invited to gather in the softball parking lot to greet the national champions as their bus returns. The celebration will take place on the Saint Leo University campus at 33701 County Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574.
No. 1 in the nation
Saint Leo Softball held the No. 1 national ranking throughout the postseason and completed the championship bracket without a loss, delivering one of the most dominant NCAA Division II tournament runs in recent history.
The title marks the first national championship in the 45‑year history of the program and comes in just the Lions’ second appearance at the NCAA Division II Softball Championships, following their 2018 run.
It also stands as Saint Leo University’s second national championship in the past decade, joining the men’s golf team’s 2016 NCAA Division II title.
A season built on records and resilience
The 2026 campaign was the most successful in program history, defined by record‑setting performances, conference dominance, and national recognition.
Highlights include: • Fewest season losses by a Division II national champion with three. Only three previous champions had finished with as few as four losses. • Most runs scored in a national championship series game since the series format began in 2016, and the most in any Division II title game from 1982–2015. Saint Leo scored 15 runs in Game 1 of the championship series. • Becoming just the second No. 1 seed since 2016 to win the national championship. • Most program wins with 44 in the regular season and 54 overall. • A 38‑game winning streak, the longest in program history. • A 29‑1 record in Sunshine State Conference play. • An undefeated home record.
A new benchmark
“This team has set a new standard for excellence, on and off the field,” said Dr. Jim Burkee, president of Saint Leo University. “On behalf of the entire Saint Leo community, I congratulate our student‑athletes and coaches on an achievement that will be celebrated for years to come.”
Vice President of Athletics, Wellness, and Recreation Marcal Lazenby said the season reflected a program operating at championship level. “This has been an incredible season for Saint Leo softball and for our entire athletics community,” Lazenby said. “This championship is a defining moment in Saint Leo history and a legacy that will inspire Lions for generations. One pride, all in.”
Heart of a champion
At the center of the Lions’ historic season was head coach Erin Kinberger, a Saint Leo alumna, three‑time Coach of the Year, and cancer survivor. One year ago, she was completing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, yet she never missed a single practice.
“The one thing I wanted was for them to know that I was willing to do whatever it took to beat the cancer,” Kinberger said earlier in the season.
Her resilience became the team’s identity, carrying through every inning from opening day to the final out of the championship.
“They are focused on each other,” she said. “That’s what loyalty and grit will get you, a fight to the end.”
The Lions close the 2026 season as NCAA Division II national champions, securing their place in program and university history. For more information, visit www.saintleolions.com.
