Valhalla, NY - You cannot talk about a successful year without bringing back a key program on the Women's side of sports here at Westchester Community College. 

The 2026 season marked far more than the return of softball to Westchester Community College, it marked the rebirth of a program.

For the first time since 2016, when Hall of Famer Buddy Caruso's team last played the Vikings took the field once again, bringing back a program that had been dormant for a decade. While the wins and losses only told part of the story, the true success of the 2026 campaign was the foundation that was built for years to come.

What was originally planned as a recruiting year quickly turned into something much bigger. Head Coach Ivey Cooper aka "Coach Coop" and Assistant Coach Cecil Weatherly spent countless hours recruiting, organizing, and preparing a roster that wasn't expected to compete until the 2027 season. Through their relentless dedication and belief in restoring the program, the Vikings were able to field a team a full year ahead of schedule, giving Westchester softball a fresh start.

The season was filled with memorable milestones, none bigger than when Meaghan Collins(Valhalla, NY/Westlake High School), one of Westchester's outstanding three-sport student-athletes, recorded the program's first hit in more than ten years. It was a historic moment that symbolized the return of Viking softball and served as a reminder that the program was officially back.

Although the 2026 season centered on rebuilding, the experience gained throughout the spring has positioned the Vikings for an exciting future. Every practice, every game, and every inning helped establish a culture that the coaching staff hopes will define the next era of Westchester softball.

With an entire season of experience under their belts and another recruiting class on the way, the Vikings now turn their attention toward 2027. The goal is clear: continue climbing the ladder, compete with the best programs in Region 15, and restore Westchester Community College softball as one of the conference's premier programs.

The comeback has begun, and the future of Viking softball has never looked brighter and legend Len Spina couldn't be more proud.