Softball Preseason Poll

Softball Kyle Jones

Webster Softball Tabbed Fourth In SLIAC Preseason Poll

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SLIAC) has released the 2025 Preseason Poll for the sport of softball. The Gorloks were picked to finish fourth in the 2025 SLIAC Preseason Poll with 59 points.

The Gorloks concluded the 2024 season with an overall record of 25-14-1 that included a 11-5 record in conference play. Last season, seven student-athletes were selected to the 2024 SLIAC All-Conference teams.

The Webster University softball program looks a lot different this season which includes a brand new coaching staff led by Head Coach Al Sampson that has over 25 years of experience coaching and managing softball programs. Joining his staff as Assistant Coaches is Scott Charleville and Abbey McAteer as both coaches have coaching experience from Jeffco Xpress Fastpitch Organization in Jefferson County, Missouri. 

The Gorloks return 10 student-athletes from last year's squad as six starters from last season did not return. The top returning power bat for Webster is Third-Team All-Conference selection Emma Bovaconti. The Ballwin, Missouri native posted a batting average of .277 that included three home runs and 21 RBI's last season. 

Also returning for the Gorloks is Madi Stichling. The Cedar Hill, Missouri native appeared in 28 games last season that included 24 starts. She posted a batting average of .351 that included 20 hits and 12 RBI's. In the circle, Stichling recorded an earned-run average of 2.90 in 29 innings that included 12 strikeouts and three complete games. 

Another key returner for the Gorloks is Alyssa Lyell. The senior outfielder appeared in 28 games that included 23 starts. In addition, she recorded a batting average of .242 that included 16 hits and seven RBI's. She is the top base-stealing threat this season as she went seven-of-eight in stolen base attempts last season. 

Some other notable returners include infielders Abigail Chandler, Ainsley Hinz, Brie Hale, and Lili Work. In the outfield, Webster returns senior Aven Ragwar-Hayes and sophomore Aurora Lomheim.  

The top returning pitcher for the Gorloks is senior Braidyn Burr. The Ponder, Texas native recorded a 6-4 overall record in 67 innings pitched that included six complete games and one save last season. In addition, she posted a 3.76 earned-run average that included 28 strikeouts. 

In addition to Burr, Cheyenne Dickens also returns for her senior season. Last year, Dickens recorded an overall record of 5-2 while pitching 32.2 innings. She posted an earned-run average of 4.07 that included 14 strikeouts and three complete games.

The Webster University coaching staff is excited to welcome three first-year student-athletes and one transfer to the mix for the 2025 season. All three additions come to Webster from nearby programs as Prisha Nigam came from Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, Missouri. Another addition to this team is two-way player Adriana Rodriguez as she came from Triad High School from Troy, Illinois. The final first-year to this incoming class is catcher and third baseman Skylar Zentner as she is a product of Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Missouri. 

The final addition to the 2025 roster came from the transfer portal as Marah Schotz came to Webster from Goldey-Beacom College, a Division II program in Wilmington, Delaware. During her two years at Goldey-Beacom, Schotz competed in 16 games that included two starts. In the box, she recorded three hits and three RBI's. 

"The coaches and I are super excited to get started on our season and we look forward to working with a great group of ladies and giving the 5 seniors the proper send off to a great career.  The current players have done everything we have asked and have helped build a foundation that subsequent recruiting classes can look at and owe some gratitude toward as we build this out" said Head Coach Al Sampson. 

The Gorloks will open the 2025 season on the road with a visit to Rhodes College on Saturday, February 15 starting at 11:00 AM in Memphis, Tennessee. 
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Emma Bovaconti

#8 Emma Bovaconti

C/INF
Junior
R/R
Braidyn Burr

#00 Braidyn Burr

P
Junior
L/L
Cheyenne Dickens

#21 Cheyenne Dickens

P/IF
Junior
R/R
Ainsley Hinz

#10 Ainsley Hinz

P/IF
Sophomore
L/L
Alyssa Lyell

#1 Alyssa Lyell

OF
Junior
R/R
Aven Ragwar-Hayes

#6 Aven Ragwar-Hayes

OF
Junior
R/L
Madi Stichling

#23 Madi Stichling

P/IF
Sophomore
R/R
Abigail Chandler

#5 Abigail Chandler

IF/C
Sophomore
Brie Hale

#32 Brie Hale

UTI/P
Sophomore
Aurora Lomheim

#27 Aurora Lomheim

OF
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Emma Bovaconti

#8 Emma Bovaconti

Junior
R/R
C/INF
Braidyn Burr

#00 Braidyn Burr

Junior
L/L
P
Cheyenne Dickens

#21 Cheyenne Dickens

Junior
R/R
P/IF
Ainsley Hinz

#10 Ainsley Hinz

Sophomore
L/L
P/IF
Alyssa Lyell

#1 Alyssa Lyell

Junior
R/R
OF
Aven Ragwar-Hayes

#6 Aven Ragwar-Hayes

Junior
R/L
OF
Madi Stichling

#23 Madi Stichling

Sophomore
R/R
P/IF
Abigail Chandler

#5 Abigail Chandler

Sophomore
IF/C
Brie Hale

#32 Brie Hale

Sophomore
UTI/P
Aurora Lomheim

#27 Aurora Lomheim

Freshman
OF