The Middlebury softball team commences its campaign at home on Saturday, playing two games against Clarkson. The program posted a 24-15 record last season, making its fourth consecutive and 14th appearance in the NESCAC Tournament.

The Panthers welcome back several fixtures from last year’s lineup. Kristyn Carroll, a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region First-Team selection, headlines the returners after posting a league-leading .496 batting average while also pacing the conference in walks (24) and on-base percentage (.580). The senior was tied atop the league ranks in runs scored (46) and concluded the year second in hits (61), stolen bases (27), and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.239.

Olivia Scholes eyes another productive campaign after setting program single-season marks in games played (39) and at-bats (139) last year. The regional first-teamer’s 39 runs batted in (RBI) paced the squad and slotted second in the NESCAC, while her 12 doubles shared second in the conference. She drove in multiple runs in 12 contests, including two four-RBI efforts. 

Jen Westphal logged a .366 batting average and 1.024 OPS a season ago, ranking second among Middlebury hitters in both categories and eighth in the conference in the latter. Her 20  walks placed second among league peers. Westphal was one of four Panthers to tally 30 or more hits last spring, and she ended the season second on the team with 25 RBI. 

Livy Schultz logged 78 at-bats in her initial campaign, drawing 12 walks while adding five doubles and 19 runs driven in. She posted a trio of multi-hit efforts, including a 2-for-4 day with three RBI on March 19. Westphal and Schultz each posted unblemished fielding percentages of 1.000 last season.

In the circle, McKenna Lont leads the Panther returners with 70.2 innings pitched last year across 18 appearances and 13 starts. She posted an 8-3 record with a 4.26 earned run average (ERA) and 41 strikeouts, fanning four or more batters in six of her outings. She chipped in 26 putouts and 61 assists while contributing 19 walks, 27 hits and 13 RBI with the bat.

Emily Ye looks to build on a strong rookie season that featured a team-low 2.92 ERA and a 5-1 mark with three saves across 48 innings. She amassed 41 strikeouts, including eight in her first collegiate complete game against Bates. Mia Gilham enters her sophomore campaign after working through six innings in three appearances a year ago.

Middlebury brings back several players who can contribute in the outfield, including Kelley Dever, Alison Jankowski and Sarah FaFond. Olivia Fleming and Uma Corcoran bolster the infield to round out the returning core.

Bevere ‘99 enters her 20th season at the helm of the program. She welcomes back assistants Raeanna Dunn and Lilah Desabrais.