Lyndonville, VT - The Vermont State University Lyndon softball team is set to open their 2026 season this Sunday. The Hornets will kick off their 26-game schedule with a non-conference doubleheader at Bay Path University. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm.
Lyndon returns five players from their 2025 roster, led by junior pitcher Riley McNamara (Manchester, NH), senior third baseman Kazandra Gonzalez (Norwalk, CA), and senior catcher Lindsey Gannon (Beverly, MA). McNamara struck out 28 batters and posted a 2-8 record with a 7.44 earned run average in 84.2 innings last season. She also hit a team best .354 and drove in 18 runs. Gonzalez hit .174, drove in seven runs, and recorded 33 putouts and seven assists a year ago. Gannon hit .267 with four extra base hits and ten runs batted in. Outfielder Megan Richardson (Essex Junction, VT) and utility player Sarah Collier (Hardwick, VT) also return.
The roster also includes five newcomers: seniors Morgan Doolan (Lancaster, NH) and Ella Huntington (Taylorsville, UT), junior Alyssa Gerrish (Fairfax, VT), sophomore Aracely Delgado-Juarez (LaBelle, FL), and freshman Sydney Clunis (Windsor, ON).
There will also be a new face guiding the team. Antonia Peretti takes over for Kevin Valentine, who retired last spring. She will be assisted by Imogyn Cote.
Peretti is optimistic about her team's prospects this season. "Lyndon Softball is poised to be a force this season, particularly on the bases and in the infield. With a talented and experienced group anchoring the infield, the team expects defense to be a major strength. Speed and aggressiveness on the bases will also play a key role in creating scoring opportunities. This season's focus shifts toward sharpening plate approaches and improving ball tracking in the outfield. With a new coaching staff leading the program, there is a strong focus on discipline, maintaining composure, and making better decisions in game situations. The program is committed to elevating its overall approach — both mentally and fundamentally. There is a strong sense of optimism surrounding the team as it embraces a fresh start under new leadership. Players have bought into the vision, and the mindset is clear: compete with confidence, execute the fundamentals, and rise to every challenge. Lyndon is entering this season ready for change — and ready to compete."
After the opening doubleheader with Bay Path, Lyndon will travel to Fisher College for two more non-conference doubleheaders on consecutive weekends. The rest of the non-conference slate will include a doubleheader against Norwich University and non-conference games as the back end of home and away doubleheaders with Vermont State University Johnson.
The Hornets will open their 12 game North Atlantic Conference slate with a doubleheader at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on April 11th. They will also play twin bills at Husson University and Lesley University, while the University of Maine at Farmington, Thomas College, the State University of New York at Delhi, and the State University of New York at Cobleskill will come to Lyndonville. The Hornets will play home and away NAC games against VTSU Johnson as the front ends of two doubleheaders.
NAC coaches picked the Hornets to finish sixth in the nine-team circuit. Defending champion Husson University was the unanimous choice to repeat. The top six teams in the regular season standings qualify for the NAC Championship Tournament in May, with the tournament winner earning automatic qualification the the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
The Hornets will be looking to return to the NAC playoffs. Last season the Hornets finished 6-25 overall and 3-9 in NAC play, good for third place in the NAC's West Division. The Hornets will be seeking the program's first back to back playoff berth since 2013 and 2014.
