WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes University softball team opens its 2026 campaign this weekend at the FastPitch Dreams Spring Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., looking to build on last season's success under head coach Jackie Klahold, who enters her seventh year at the helm of the program.

"We're excited to get out on the dirt," said head coach Klahold about the upcoming season. "Saturday can't come soon enough."

The Colonels finished the 2025 season with a 17-15 overall record and a 10-6 mark in Landmark Conference play, earning a trip to the Landmark Championship Tournament where they fell to Moravian in extra innings in the semifinal round.

Looking ahead, Klahold is excited for the challenge of conference play. "We know that with every conference game there's no such thing as an off week," she said. "The level of competition up and down the Landmark is very strong, and that's what our team is excited about heading into the season."

Wilkes returns a high-powered upperclass group featuring three of their four All-Landmark selections in seniors Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) and Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) and junior Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton). 

DeMarco, a Second Team All-Landmark pitcher, led Wilkes with a 1.70 ERA and 69 strikeouts, while Dougher earned Honorable Mention recognition after finishing second on the team with 32 hits and ranking fourth with a .330 batting average. Infielder Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/Lackawanna College) and a veteran four-year outfielder Hana Cross (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) round out the senior class.

Butka headlines the junior class after earning First Team All-Landmark and All-Region Second Team honors. She posted a team-best .370 batting average, leading the squad in hits (37), doubles (12), and home runs (4), while also contributing in the circle with a 2.55 ERA and 41 strikeouts. Victoria Butler (Mountain Top, PA/Crestwood) and Julia Kapitula (Mount Olive, NJ/Mount Olive) join Butka to solidify the upper class core.

Leading the sophomore class are outfielders Talia Piragas (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) and Allyson Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View), who each impressed in their first season with .333 batting averages and 29 hits, while Piragas paced the team with 21 RBIs. They are joined by pitchers Tessa Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) and Alexa Stahl (Montoursville, PA/Montoursville Area), catcher Paige Randazzo (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg), and outfielders Brylie Ketterer (Birdsboro, PA/Twin Valley) and Dana Messner (Oley, PA/Oley Valley).

"We're expecting a lot from this group, and we're fortunate enough to have quite a few of those girls back," said head coach Jackie Klahold. "We expect them to continue to contribute and bring along the first-year group."

Wilkes also welcomes eight first-years who add depth across the diamond. Audrey Rinda (Easton, PA/Easton Area) joins the pitching staff, Aveya Stauffer (Northumberland, PA/Shikellamy), Samantha Peterson, and Abby Williams (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) strengthen the infield, Allison Sterner (Hawley, PA/Wallenpaupack Area) and Taylor Ferrari (Gordon, PA/North Schuylkill) add depth in the outfield, and Gabby Miller (Enola, PA/East Pennsboro) and Brooklyn Stout (Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearley) provide versatility as utility players.

"We definitely expect them to contribute," said head coach Jackie Klahold about the first-year group. "It's fantastic to watch them develop and blend with the returners."

Wilkes kicks off the season this Sunday at the FastPitch Dreams Classic starting the eight-game week against Vermont State University Johnson with first-pitch set for 12:00 p.m.