SB: Lasers Ranked 2nd in GNAC South Pre-Season Poll

SB: Lasers Ranked 2nd in GNAC South Pre-Season Poll
February 25, 2025

Newton, MA - The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has released its 2025 Softball Pre-Season Poll, with the Lasell University softball team ranked second in the South Division just behind Johnson & Wales. Last season, the Lasers ended the year with a 25-18 overall record and a 14-4 mark in GNAC play. Their 2024 campaign ended in the GNAC tournament double elimination pod-play with a 5-4 loss against Simmons. 

 

The Lasers are heading into the 2025 season with a well-balanced mix of incoming talent and veteran players, all looking to make another deep run in the GNAC Tournament.They are also seeing a fresh face in the coaching department bringing on head coach Vani Patel. Patel is eager to continue building on a winning tradition with the Lasers, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her time at Springfield College. During her tenure, she contributed to the program's success as part of the coaching staff that was honored as the NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2024. 

 

Among the key returners for the Lasers is graduate student Katie Hopkins. The reigning GNAC Player of the Year held an impressive .394 batting average in her last season, driving in 35 RBIs and also depositing 5 HRs over the course of the season. On the defensive side of things, the Lasers are losing Eryn Sheeley, a staple on the mound, who went 12-8 as a starter and had 121 Ks in 2024. However, Junior Abigail Fortin will look to step up into that role, after holding an 11-5 record during her sophomore season. Fortin pitched 114 innings and posting a 2.64 ERA on her 2024 campaign. 

 

Other key pieces to the Lasers team include seniors Emily Mestas, Mackenzie Still, and Meghan Theall. Mestas looks to continue to hold down the middle infield defensively for the Lasers and provide offense to the lineup after a .258 average last season. Mackenzie Still is another returning starter who will be relied upon alongside Mestas to lock down the middle infield. Meghan Theall might be in line to see an increased role pitching after appearing in 5 games last year but will also play a role in the Lasers outfield presence. 

 

Junior Alyssa Bland will also be a critical returner, acting as the other half of the pitching battery behind the plate. She is coming off a career year hitting where she posted a .383 average with 17 RBIs. 

With these key players returning and the development of new young talent, the Lasers will be eyeing another deep GNAC Tournament run this year. 

 

2025 GNAC Softball Preseason Poll

South

  1. JWU (7) - 109
  2. Lasell (5) - 98
  3. Albertus Magnus (2) - 93
  4. Mitchell (1) - 77
  5. USJ - 67
  6. Regis - 47
  7. Dean - 26
  8. Elms - 23

North

  1. Simmons (9) - 96
  2. SJC (5) - 90
  3. Emmanuel (1) - 83
  4. Rivier - 57
  5. NEC - 45
  6. Anna Maria - 26
  7. Norwich - 23