sb sliac poll

Softball Kyle Jones

Gorloks Softball Picked To Finish Seventh In 2026 SLIAC Preseason Poll

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) has released the Preseason Poll for softball. The Gorloks were picked to finish seventh that included 26 points.

2025 Season Recap:
In the first year under Head Coach Al Sampson and his staff, Webster recorded a 10-20 overall record that included an 8-10 conference record. The Gorloks ended the 2025 season with a 3-2 victory over MUW.

2026 Roster:
Webster returns eight student-athletes from last year's team which includes two SLIAC Third Team All-Conference selections in Adriana Rodriguez and Madi Stichling. Rodriguez enters her sophomore season coming off 17 appearances in the circle that included three starts and a 3-1 record. For the 2025 season, she led the team with 50.1 innings pitched, a 3.20 ERA, a 1.61 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts. In addition, she recorded two complete games and one save. 

Stichling, a utility player, enters her senior season coming off a 27-start season mainly at Designated Player. In the batters box, she led the team with a .351 batting average, a .827 OPS, and 26 hits. In addition, she recorded 30 total bases, 13 RBI's, and drew nine walks. In the circle, she appeared in 13 games that included three starts. In those 13 games, she posted a 5.82 ERA, a 1.82 WHIP, and a 4-2 record. Lastly, she recorded 17 strikeouts and a team-high three complete games. 

Other key returners includes infielders Abigail Chandler, Marah Schotz, Ainsley Hinz, Brie Hale, Lili Work, and Aurora Lomheim.

Head Coach Al Sampson and his staff is excited to welcome 14 first-year student-athletes from eight different states to the mix for the 2026 season. Webster adds seven student-athletes from Missouri which includes Addison Penn (Chesterfield, MO), Emma Lanz (Affton, MO), Brystol Klossner (Rolla, MO), Paige Vogelgesang (St. Clair, MO), Olivia Hartupee (Farmington, MO), Ava Reinecke (Fenton, MO), and Sophie Errante (Hillsboro, MO)

In addition, the program welcomes two student-athletes from California which includes Natalie Puentes (Riverside, CA) and Kacey Ekstrom (El Segundo, CA). The Gorloks added one student-athlete from five different states which includes Sophie Sokolowski (Clearwater, FL), Vanessa Saenz (Las Vegas, NV), Kailey Rushman (Strasburg, CO), Isabelle Loiben (Vernon Hills, IL), and Kelsey Sommers (McKinney, TX).

The Gorloks will open the 2026 season on Saturday, February 14 with a neutral site decision against the University of the Ozarks at 10:00AM in Memphis, Tennessee. 
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Players Mentioned

Ainsley Hinz

#10 Ainsley Hinz

P/IF
Sophomore
L/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
Lili Work

#24 Lili Work

C/INF
Freshman
Adriana Rodriguez

#4 Adriana Rodriguez

P/1B
5' 8"
Sophomore
Marah Schotz

#7 Marah Schotz

INF
5' 6"
Senior
Kacey Ekstrom

#76 Kacey Ekstrom

OF
5' 4"
Freshman
Sophie Errante

#36 Sophie Errante

OF
5' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ainsley Hinz

#10 Ainsley Hinz

Sophomore
L/L
P/IF
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
Lili Work

#24 Lili Work

Freshman
C/INF
Adriana Rodriguez

#4 Adriana Rodriguez

5' 8"
Sophomore
P/1B
Marah Schotz

#7 Marah Schotz

5' 6"
Senior
INF
Kacey Ekstrom

#76 Kacey Ekstrom

5' 4"
Freshman
OF
Sophie Errante

#36 Sophie Errante

5' 7"
Freshman
OF