BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - It comes as no surprise to Lee University Head Coach Emily Russell that the Lady Flames are predicted to place ninth in the annual Preseason Gulf South Conference Coaches' Softball Poll. "I think the poll is a great representation of where teams ended last year," said Russell after viewing the poll. "We have 11 new players and that makes it difficult to know what will happen when we hit the field. We are preparing for a rugged Gulf South Conference regular season, and the team is excited to get on the field together."
The University of West Florida (115 points, 6 first-place votes), edged out Auburn University Montgomery (114 points, 6 first-place votes) for the top spot. Mississippi College followed with 95 points. the University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of West Alabama, Valdosta State University, University of Montevallo and Trevecca Nazarene University rounded out the teams finishing ahead of the Lady Flames while Union University, Delta State University and Christian Brothers University followed.
Lee did not have a player named to the Coaches' Preseason All-GSC Team. Mississippi College had four athletes listed while UAH, Auburn Montgomery, and West Florida had three players placed on the expanded 17-member list.
Two Lady Flames appeared on the GSC Newcomers to Watch list. Ella Baker is a redshirt freshman pitcher from Bledsoe County High School and Hope Barnett is an infielder who transferred from Daytona State College. UAH, Auburn Montgomery, Christian Brothers, Mississippi College, Union, and West Florida all featured three Newcomers to Watch.
Viewing the 2026 Team
Coach Russell enters her 24th season as head coach of the Lady Flames and admits losing a pair of fifth-year pitchers, Madison Barnett and Natilie Pruitt Geesey, plus four seniors who were last year's top four hitters, Rylie Goodridge, Ana Macha, Alexa Scalzo and Javaria Smith will be difficult to replace. Macha and Scalzo were named 2025 All-GSC and All-South Region.
"We will have a much different makeup," admitted the veteran coach. "We will rely on freshmen to make their mark much like those (girls) did four years ago. It is exciting to see so much growth with our freshmen, but it is also unpredictable. They have a special chemistry, and they are going to be a lot of fun to watch."
Sophomore pitcher Layne Bailey, who made 27 appearances, started seven games and pitched in 75 innings, junior infielder Alyson Jarvi, who appeared in 43 contests and batted .261 and junior catcher/utility player Hailey Simco, who had 140 at-bats, hitting .286 with 15 stolen bases are expected to be key contributors. The coach says other returners that are ready to contribute are junior pitchers Abigail Welbaum and freshman Ella Baker who are coming back after medical red shirts years.
Russell and her staff had to spend plenty of time recruiting after losing several players from the 2025 team. There will be 11 fresh faces when the new season opens, and nine will be seeing their first action on Stanley Butler Field. "We will need everyone to contribute throughout the season," stressed the coach. "We have seen a lot of good things from this group, and we are looking forward to more this spring."
The Lady Flames picked up a player from the portal. Reese Haun is transferring from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Coach Russell says, "Reese has hit the ground running. She has really started to come into her own after getting settled in."
The 2026 team will be looking to improve consistency. "We led the GSC in offense but still fell short of our team goals. We want to elevate our pitching and defense while still focusing on thriving offensively," said the coach in stressing team goals.
The staff looks at depth as being an important team of strength. Russell noted, "We have a lot of people that can cover multiple spots on the field. We have our share of options."
Former outstanding Lady Flame Ana Macha is joining the staff as a graduate assistant this semester. After completing her undergraduate degree this fall. Ana is starting her master's degree in marriage and family therapy.
Non-Conference Schedule
Lee is hosting a 14-team tournament in Chattanooga, and Coach Russell says she is also excited to get the extra weekend (of work) before GSC play. "This will give us the opportunity to play on the road against Newberry (S.C.) and Glenville State (WVA.) "Another new team we are playing is Emory and Henry (Va.). We are going up there on spring break. Overall, the schedule is challenging but loaded with top teams from other conferences," noted the coach.
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. West Florida (6) - 115
2. AUM (6) - 114
3. Mississippi College - 95
4. UAH - 93
5. West Alabama - 74
6. Valdosta State - 72
7. Montevallo - 59
8. Trevecca Nazarene - 58
9. Lee - 39
10. Union - 30
11. Delta State - 23
12. Christian Brothers - 20
First-place votes in parentheses
Preseason All-GSC Team*
Katie Bracken, P, Sr., UAH
Megan Shurtz, P, Sr., UAH
Brittany Slaten, UTL, Sr., UAH
Reese Cauley, P/1B, So., AUM
Chelisa Newsome, P, Jr., AUM
Chloe Baynes, OF, Sr., AUM
Blakely Gill, C, So., MC
Shelby Samples, SS/OF, Sr., MC
Madelyn England, 3B, Sr., MC
Camryn Bailey, P, Sr., MC
Taylor Lloyd, P, Sr., Montevallo
Riley Tyree, 1B, Sr., Montevallo
Brianna Asmondy, 1B/DP, Sr., Trevecca
Ann Marie Stanbridge, 1B, Sr., West Alabama
Haley Guffey, P, Sr., West Florida
Hannah Harper, P/1B, Sr., West Florida
Emma Brice, INF, Sr., West Florida
* Roster expanded due to tie in voting
Listed alphabetical by school
