ST. CHARLES MO.- Erin Brown enters season number five at the helm of the Lindenwood softball program looking to take the model set forth by other programs during this academic year and take her program to new heights in 2026.
Lindenwood is coming off a 24-25 campaign, including a 14-12 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play, before its season ended with a loss to rival Southeast Missouri in the OVC tournament.
The Lions return a balanced and experienced roster, featuring 11 upperclassmen, including eight seniors, along with 10 underclassmen and a six-player freshman class.
Lindenwood returns three All-OVC 2nd teamers from a year ago, Avery Wapp, Tori Hatton and Nicole Henson. Wapp is heading into her fourth season in the black and gold coming off her best season in a Lindenwood uniform as she posted a 9-9 record with a 2.40 earned run average (ERA) in 128.1 innings pitched from the circle. She also struck out 138 hitters and yielded 47 walks as opponents hit just .222 against her.
Hatton returns to anchor the Lions infield after posting a standout season in 2025. Hatton hit .265 in 49 games with 36 hits, led the team with eight home runs and drove in 24 RBIs. The Senior from Troy also drew a career high 26 walks a year ago.
Unfortunately, Henson will miss all of 2026 after suffering a knee injury in the offseason, after she posted 354 batting average with 35 hits and 16 RBIs in 2025.
Lindenwood returns a quartet of arms that will join Wapp in the circle including: Ryleigh Owens, Samantha Roulanaitis, Molly Heidrick and Lucy Pratt. Owens started 17 games in 2025 tallying 11 wins, two saves and an ERA of 2.89. She also struck out 69 batters over 111.1 innings pitched.
Jolie McMinn returns for her fourth season in St. Charles after boasting a .295 batting average a season ago with a team leading 39 hits and 32 runs batted in. McMinn also crushed six home runs a season ago. Dallis Darnell started all 49 games in 2025 and hit .267 with 35 hits and 13 RBIs during her junior season. Darnell also swiped six basses last season.
Other key returners for Lindenwood include: Madison Noll, Teryn Brown, Lauren Pelton, Anna Sanders, Danielle Franz, Kylee Crowder and Izzy Wilcox who all aim to contribute in bigger ways and take Lindenwood softball to new heights in 2026.
Lindenwood signed six freshmen to the roster to compete for spots in 2026. The class features catcher Myah Briggs, a three-time All-State selection with power potential, outfielder Shea Splittorff, a strong defender with gap-to-gap ability, utility player Maddie Oakley, who brings high-level experience from multiple elite programs and infielder Saydie Miller, a confident hitter with steady production. In the circle, pitchers Bella Trim and Kate Landewee headline the class after standout high school careers that include All-State honors, state championships, and dominant strikeout numbers.
The Lions were picked to finish fourth in the preseason OVC poll behind Eastern Illinois, SIUE and SEMO. Wapp, Hatton, Henson, and Owens were all tabbed as players to watch in the upcoming season.
The Lions open their season on Feb. 6 against Nicholls as they travel down to Montgomery Alabama to participate in the Alabama State Stinger Classic. The Lions home opener is scheduled to take place on Feb. 27 against Indiana State as a part of the Lindenwood Invite.
OVC play begins for Lindenwood on March 7 as UT Martin comes to town with the season coming to a climax May 6-9 in Peoria, Illinois for the OVC tournament.
