After a breakout 2024 campaign which saw a playoff appearance, a 19-15 overall record, and four all-conference honorees, the St. Lawrence University softball team enters the season as one of the teams to watch in the 2025 Liberty League softball circuit.

They recently polled fourth overall in the Liberty League's preseason coaches poll. They begin their campaign on familiar turf, at THE Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.

Their opening game of the season is scheduled for Sunday, March 16 against New England College.

As fifth-year head coach Rosie Phillips explains, the elevated expectations come with the territory when you return a big chunk of your roster.

"We return a lot of key players and welcome a big first-year class who we expect to make an impact," said Phillips, a native of Geneva, N.Y. "We have eight of nine positions returning, which puts our defense in a very advantageous position."

"Vivian Johnson, Maeve Thompson and Allison Kloft all played big roles for us last year. We return our entire infield, and two-thirds of our outfield. We have a lot of speed with Stella VanGee, Caelen Jahnle, Sofia Camillieri, Layne Fritz, Zoe Davenport, first-year Emily Wendt and Thompson. Our lineup will feature a strong balance of power and speed." 

The Saints were third in the conference in fielding percentage with a mark of .959, only behind Rensselaer and Rochester. They return many of their defenders, including third-ranked Liberty League assist-getter Kloft, who logged 79 in 2024.

Offensively, St. Lawrence focused on small ball and finished second in the Liberty League in sacrifice hits with 32. Johnson and Thompson contributed in that department from the top of the batting order, with Thomspon tying for sixth in the conference with 28 runs scored. Johnson was fifth in the conference in walks with 14.

Even after the Saints graduated Zola Braswell, Kayla Minst, and Meredith Rose, the Saints retain most of their firepower. Thompson hit .336, led the team in hits with 40, and added an inside-the-park home run. Another Sophomore, Kloft, was second to Rose last season in RBIs with 24, and hit .324 – third-best on the roster behind Rose and Thompson.

The Saints also add Madison Connelly, Abby Gallas, Marina Juan and Quinn Jerome as first-years who will bring an element of power to the lineup, joining Olivia Caporale in that department.

Shifting gears to pitching, Phillips says the Saints return their reliable pitchers while making additions to the staff with newcomers.

"We return both key pitchers this year in Sofia Berryhill and Izzy Melanson, and have Marleigh Monroe and Hannah Reardon added to our staff," said Phillips. "Monroe will make an immediate impact on both sides for us. We will rely on our entire staff's combined efforts this season."

The Saints were 10-5 with Berryhill in the circle in 2024 – that was a career-high in wins for the senior left-hander. Both her and sophomore returner Melanson had near-identical ERAs, with Berryhill producing a 2.82 and Melanson recording a 2.86. Both throwers also ranked in the top 10 in the conference in strikeouts, with Berryhill placing sixth (63) and Melanson ninth (54).

Teaming up with the pitchers at the plate, first-year Leah VerSchneider joins the other two catchers on the roster. "We'll see Verschneider step into a key role behind the plate," said Phillips. "She brings a lot of power to our lineup, joining seasoned juniors Emily Crain and Emily Siansky."

St. Lawrence plays the first game of season Sunday morning at 10 a.m., then will compete in nine other contests at THE Spring Games before returning to the North Country. They'll open their non-conference home schedule on Saturday, March 29 against Oswego State.