Softball | 4/6/2026 12:34:00 PM
FIRST PITCH
UPDATE: Saint Francis and Mercyhurst will play a three-game series on Tuesday and Wednesday. Due to the weather forecast and colder temperatures in the area, the two teams will now play a single game on Tuesday starting at 2 p.m., and a doubleheader on Wednesday with the first pitch of the twinbill starting at 1 p.m.
MERCYHURST SCOUTING REPORTÂ
In its second season as a Division I team, the Lakers entered the 2026 season ranked eighth in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll. Led by head coach Leanne Baker, the Lakers feature a lineup that includes key returners from last year's squad, such as senior outfielder Karlie Kasten, who currently leads the team in batting average, and junior Bailey Cannon, a two-way player who leads the team in OPS.
LAST TIME WE PLAYED THEÂ LAKERSÂ
The last time these two programs met on the diamond was last season, when the Red Flash swept the Lakers in their first-ever three-game series. Saint Francis took the finale, 15-4. In that game, current Red Flash standout Sofia Zielinski went 2-for-5 with a home run, one run scored, and four RBIs.
HEAD TO HEAD
Since transitioning from Division II, the Lakers have faced the Red Flash only three times, all in Erie. This series marks Mercyhurst's first trip to Loretto for softball. Saint Francis currently leads the rivalry, having won all three meetings.
NEXTÂ ON DECK
The Saint Francis softball team is back in action Saturday, April 11, as it travels to Stonehill for a three-game series at Fr. Gartland Field in North Easton, Mass. Game 1 of the opening doubleheader starts at 1 p.m.
AT THE HELMÂ
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'Â
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.
BY THE NUMBERSÂ
Throughout the season, the Red Flash have proven they are no strangers to the long ball, leading the Northeast Conference with 28 home runs. Saint Francis also ranks among the top three in several offensive categories: hits (first, 208), runs (second, 124), RBIs (second, 114), total bases (second, 332), and slugging percentage (second, .410).
THE ACE AT FIRST BASE
At the center of the Saint Francis offensive machinery is sophomore Sofia Zielinski, who currently leads the team in several categories: batting average (.425), hits (34), home runs (10), RBIs (29), total bases (70), and slugging percentage (.875). She is also responsible for 20 of the Red Flash's 124 total runs, which ranks second on the team. Additionally, after breaking her personal career record of nine home runs on Sunday, this marks just the 19th time in program history that a Red Flash player has hit 10 or more home runs in a season, dating back to 1999.
PRE-SEASON POLL
Entering the 2026 season as the reigning champions after winning their second consecutive Northeast Conference title, Saint Francis was selected to finish sixth out of nine teams in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
THE RETURNERSÂ
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 BLOCKÂ
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).
