The St. Lawrence University softball team enters the 2026 season on the weekend with an early start to the year. They head to the mid-Atlantic region to take on Stevenson and York (Pa.) on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The Saints move into the 2026 season off reaching new heights in 2025. They went 21-15 overall in the campaign, matching their 2024 win total and returning to the LL playoffs as the No. 5 seed in the Liberty League tournament. They faced Rensselaer in the first round, a formidable opponent that received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

Now, under the tutelage of new head coach Tyler Pagaduan, the Saints aim to build on their second consecutive appearance in the tournament. Pagaduan – who joins the Saints via Geneva College where he was associate head coach, and led Eastern Nazarene to an NCAA tournament bid in 2024 – sees great potential in his inherited roster.

"The expectations for us are high," said Pagaduan. "This group has played in the conference's play-in game for each of the past two seasons, and this year the objective is to play in the double elimination tournament. We have a very talented roster, with a lot of veteran experience and that's what makes this team ready for the big moments. Our offense is balanced with power, speed, and contact, which will keep us in every game."

"My coaching staff and I ultimately believe our deep pitching staff makes the difference," Pagaduan continued. "We feel very comfortable putting Izzy Melanson, Marleigh Monroe, Hannah Reardon and Madison Smith into all situations and have confidence in their ability to execute in the circle."

Melanson has the lowest earned run average of any returning pitcher, sporting a 3.88 in her 62 and two-thirds innings pitched, and also added a career-high seven wins. Monroe, a sophomore hurler, led the Scarlet and Brown in innings pitched with 94 in her first-year season. She had a 1.47 WHIP and led the Saints with nine complete games.

The program is currently operating at an efficient pace, having put together some of the best quality softball seen on the campus of St. Lawrence. They set new single-season benchmarks last year for hits (317), doubles (56), runs scored (213), total bases (415), and stolen bases (63). With a defense that remains equally elite, coming off a program-record .959 fielding percentage.

The lineup will be anchored by a core of decorated returners, including NFCA All-Region Third Team and All-Liberty League First Team selection Allison Kloft. Now a junior, Kloft returns to the heart of the order after claiming the program record for RBIs in a single season with 36. With All-Liberty League Honorable Mention Maeve Thompson also returning to the fold at the top of the order and in the middle of the infield.

"It's exciting to return upper-class players like Caelen Jahnle, Kloft, Thompson, and Emily Siansky; who have had success in multiple seasons over the course of their careers," continued Pagaduan. "Others like Leah VerSchneider and Emily Wendt add to our lineup's versatility and defensive prowess."

The Saints also return a large contingent of seasoned roster members, led by captains Thompson, Jahnle, Emily Crain, and Layne Fritz, while also including Olivia Caporale, Madison Connelly, Zoe Davenport, Abby Gallas, Quinn Jerome, and Marina Juan. They all enter 2026 with at least a season of crucial playing experience in a tight Liberty League conference. The Saints also add sophomore transfer Isabel Moreno, who came to SLU from Skidmore.

In terms of newcomers, utility player Chloe Fontaine and pitcher Maggie Fay will wear Scarlet and Brown for the first time, joining Smith as the team's crop of first-years.

The Saints also have a new-look coaching staff in 2026. Joining Pagaduan as his assistant coach is a familiar face, in Zola Braswell '24. Braswell played four years as a member of the Saints and had 54 career hits in 93 career games. Kayla Gugin will also join the staff as an assistant.

The Saints open their season with a heavy road schedule, heading to Middlebury once they return from the Stevenson/York trip. The team then travels to Clermont, Fla., for a 10-game spring break slate from March 22 to March 27, featuring matchups against non-conference opponents from across the United States.

Liberty League play begins in early April with away series at Clarkson, Rochester, and RIT. The Saints play their first home games at Saints Softball Field on April 15 against Plattsburgh State, followed by conference home stands against Ithaca and Union. The regular season concludes with a conference tournament rematch against RPI, and a non-conference swing to Oswego State before a final home doubleheader against Skidmore on May 2.

For more information on the Saints' schedule, roster, or other recent headlines, follow the embedded links or keep an eye on the St. Lawrence athletics softball webpage.