Softball | 3/4/2026 7:54:00 AM

FIRST PITCH 
Saint Francis softball continues the 2026 season as it heads to San Antonio, Texas, from Feb.27 to March 1 to take part in the Birds Up Bash at Roadrunner Field. In this five-game series, the Red Flash will face UT Arlington, New Mexico State, North Dakota, and the host team, UTSA. Game one is scheduled for Friday against UT Arlington's Mavericks, with a pitch set for 10 a.m.

SCOUTING TEXAS STATE
Texas State was the Sun Belt champion in the regular season last year, finishing 16-8 in conference play and 34-19 overall. Earlier this season, the softball team received multiple conference honors in the 2026 preseason polls, including a first-overall selection in the Coaches Poll. Aiyana Coleman was named Preseason Player of the Year, and Madison Azuana was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year. The pair was also included on the Preseason All-Conference list alongside senior catcher Megan Kelnar. So far this season, the Bobcats are 12-7, with victories over teams such as No. 18 Clemson.

SCOUTING TARLETON
Coming off a trip to the WAC Tournament championship game, Tarleton softball was voted to finish first in the WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Standout pitcher Shelby Schultz earned three individual awards, including Preseason Co-Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year. So far this season, Tarleton has a record of 14-7 and is ranked 21st in the nation in batting average, 23rd in RBIs, and 23rd in scoring.

NEXT ON DECK
The Red Flash softball team is back in action next weekend on Saturday, March 14, as they take on NEC foe New Haven in a doubleheader at Red Flash Softball Field in Loretto, Pennsylvania. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

AT THE HELM 
Entering his first season at Loretto, Head Coach Bill Vasko aims to maintain the program's winning tradition as he becomes the 14th head coach in its history. He takes over a program that has won seven of the last eight NEC Tournament titles and appeared in seven NCAA Division I regionals. Vasko brings 15 years of collegiate softball coaching experience, including 10 years as a head coach, and 31 years in college athletics.

Upon his hiring, Vasko said, "I'm incredibly honored to be named the softball head coach at Saint Francis. This program has a strong tradition of excellence, and I'm excited to build on that legacy while helping our student-athletes grow both on and off the field. Saint Francis is a special place, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead this program into its next chapter. Our focus will be on developing leaders, continuing the championship culture, and competing with pride every time we take the field."

NEW TO THE LO' 
Late last year, Coach Vasko began building a winning-caliber team capable of competing against any opponent, both inside and outside the NEC. This effort started with the hiring of Abby Doerr and Ryan Bushey to his coaching staff. Coach Doerr brings extensive experience, having played at the highest level for programs including the University of Alabama and Oregon State University. Joining her is Coach Bushey, a graduate assistant who was a four-year infielder on the Mount Aloysius College baseball team, where he played a key role for a Mounties program that consistently competed at the top of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

THE RETURNERS
Saint Francis begins the 2026 season with six returners from last year's championship-winning squad, including three CSC Academic All-District award winners: senior Annabelle Farmer, junior Aliya Garroway, and junior Olivia Kolowitz. They are joined by sophomore Morgan Pasternak, senior Haley Brag, and sophomore Sofia Zielinski, all of whom were vital to last year's championship team.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK 
Despite the key contributions of last year's championship-winning team, Coach Vasko made several additions to the lineup to make a difference. Saint Francis welcomes a strong freshman class, including Olivia Holtzman (York, Pennsylvania, Central York), Sophia Rabatin (Lilly, Pennsylvania, Penn Cambria), Olivia Hood (New Castle, Pennsylvania, New Castle), Ella Zoss, and Zoe Kesterson (Charles Town, West Virginia, Washington).