AUSTIN, Texas — The foundation is taking form for St. Edward's softball in head coach Hailey Post's third season running the program.
After navigating a competitive Lone Star Conference slate a season ago, the Hilltoppers enter 2026 with a veteran core coming off a breakthrough season, key newcomers, and a clearer sense of identity.

St. Edward's finished the 2025 season at 27–28 overall and 21–23 in Lone Star Conference play, competing in nearly every series and laying groundwork for growth. Experience, leadership, and defensive toughness form the backbone of a program looking to turn close games into consistent results.
For head coach Hailey Post, the fall season offered encouraging signs.

"I think our senior class really stood out," Post said. "We have a strong group of leaders and a good group returning overall. We saw a lot of great things this fall with some promising things offensively, and our defense remains strong."

Leadership begins at the in-game meetings in the pitcher's circle, where pitcher KYLEN PADGETT and catcher Sloan Hill return as senior team captains.
Padgett returns for her final season as the anchor of the pitching staff. She logged over 110 innings a season ago and finished with a 3.76 ERA, consistently giving the Hilltoppers a chance to compete in the toughest conference in NCAA Division II with her competitiveness, preparation, and big-game experience.

"Kylen has led the way for our pitching staff the past two years," Post said. "She has a strong head on her shoulders. She has the right mindset and the right work ethic. We expect her to do the same Kylen things she's been doing, just going out there and putting it all on the field."

Padgett is supported by increased depth behind her. Junior HALEY CARMONA is expected to step into a bigger role, while sophomore MADDIE AGUILAR adds versatility after posting a sub-4.00 ERA in spot starts and relief appearances last season.

"We're really hoping Haley can step up and show us what she's truly capable of," Post said. "And Maddie can do a lot of great things for us. She mixes speeds well, and that's something that really complements what Kylen brings."

Behind the plate, Hill continues to be a steady presence and one of the program's most vocal leaders. Hill turned in one of the most productive offensive seasons of her career in 2025, hitting .325 with 15 doubles, leading an offensive surge that improved from hitting .235 with 132 runs in 2024 to .298 with 245 runs last year with largely the same lineup.

"Sloan is a great leader both on and off the field," Post said. "She's put in a lot of hard work throughout her time here on the Hilltop. Going into her senior year, we really want her to focus on having fun, playing the game, and taking that leadership role with this team."

Hill will split time at catcher with DAFNE MERCADO, who transferred from Texas A&M-Corpus Christ and adds right-handed power and experience behind the plate.

"Daphne is very softball-smart and brings power to our lineup," Post said. "Having both of them gives us flexibility in the lineup."

On the corners, St. Edward's returns stability and production. Senior ELLA HUTZLER is back at first base after batting .335 with six home runs a season ago in her first all-conference season, combining power with a .990 fielding percentage defensively. At third base, CIANA RODRIGUEZ once again anchors the hot corner with elite glove work.

"Ciana has a very, very good glove," Post said. "She makes plays that you kind of question sometimes, where you're like, 'I can't believe she just got to that ball.' Having that steady glove at the hot corner is huge for us."

The middle infield remains one of the most competitive areas on the field following the graduation of four-year starters MEGAN MORRIS and LAUREN HOYT. SOFIA APONTE and ALEA DESERRANO are expected to see time at shortstop, while junior transfer JORDYN COMER has quickly emerged as a central piece at second base.

"Jordyn has looked really, really good for us," Post said. "We'll lean heavily on her, especially early, and see how that middle group comes together."

Aponte was a revelation in centerfield last season, earning LSC Golden Glove honors as a freshman in arguably the fastest outfield in the conference with a rocket arm to keep baserunners in check. At short, that fielding range and arm could strengthen an already formidable defense.

DeSerrano, who rotated through multiple roles last season, is a player Post believes could make a significant leap with increased consistency.

"She's a great athlete," Post said. "We threw her in at different spots last year, and hopefully this year she can work herself into a more consistent role for us."

Offensively, the Hilltoppers are building toward a more balanced and aggressive approach. St. Edward's collected 449 hits and batted in 214 of its 245 runs last season. The Hilltoppers lose All-Region outfield KATIE DILLON to graduation, but retain speed across the lineup and off the bench, emerging bats, and added some more power.

Senior ARIANNA VIDALES returns as one of the team's top table-setters after hitting .307 last season and consistently igniting the offense from the top of the order.

"If Arianna gets on, our offense goes," Post said. "We expect big things from her again with her ability to pressure defenses and manufacture runs with her baserunning."

The outfield features athleticism and flexibility across the board. JERZIE PELHAM provides defensive range and aggressiveness on the bases, while transfer Darian DeLeon adds left-handed power and a strong arm. Freshmen HANNA ZACHARY and PHOEBE MENDIOLA introduce speed and athleticism that could play an immediate role.

"Hanna brings speed, a great arm, and great athleticism," Post said. "She's going to be big for us this year."

Early in the season, finding the right combination will be a priority, with non-conference play serving as an evaluation period.

"You'll notice a lot of rotation these first couple of weeks," Post said. "That's really just us trying to figure out what works, mixing players defensively, and seeing what St. Edward's softball is going to look like."

That process takes on added importance in a Lone Star Conference that remains one of Division II's most competitive leagues. While the Hilltoppers have hovered near the .500 mark in recent seasons, they have consistently shown the ability to compete with the league's top programs.

"It's about being tough when you need to be," Post said. "Winning games that need to be won, and finding a way to steal one from teams like West Texas A&M or UT Tyler — that's huge when you look at the conference race at the end of the year."

At the core of that push is defense. St. Edward's posted a .966 team fielding percentage in 2025 and believes continued growth in that area will be a determining factor.

"Our defense is going to be huge for us," Post said. "Limiting runs, making the routine plays, and being really tough in that area — that's how we're going to be successful this season."

With a veteran core setting the standard and a roster that blends proven production with emerging talent, St. Edward's enters 2026 positioned to take the next step.

The Hilltoppers return experience at key positions, improved depth in the circle, and an offense that showed significant growth a season ago. More importantly, they return an identity — one built on toughness, preparation, and the ability to compete pitch-for-pitch with anyone in the Lone Star Conference.
For Post and her senior class, the goal is simple but demanding: play the game the right way and trust the work that's been put in to make 2026 a season defined not by potential, but by results.