WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's softball team is prepared for the 2025 season under new leadership for the Lancers.

Grace enters the season under the tutelage of former Lancer standout Bethany Carpenter. Carpenter was tabbed as the interim coach for the 2025 season; she will be joined on staff by fellow Grace alums Cassie Hayes, Bri Flanegan and Jeri Ellis.

"As a coaching staff, we are very competitive," commented Carpenter. "We are here to win games and have made it clear to the players that this year won't be viewed as a year off. We are very proud of how they have adapted that approach."

The Lancers boast a full complement of upperclassmen and return eight players who made significant starts last season. 

Tia O'Connor started in all 44 games for the Lancers a year ago and led the team with 15 extra base hits and was second on the team for RBIs (18). She was also a steady presence at third base and boasted a .931 fielding percentage.

Bela Duran returns for her senior season after playing both middle infield positions over her first three years. She has seen over 100 career starts and has a career fielding percentage of .917. Last season she had a breakout campaign from the plate as she hit at a .306 clip. She earned All-Crossroads League honorable mention last season.

Also returning for a sophomore campaign is Halle Nett who played all 44 games for the Lancers in the shortstop position. She secured a high spot in Grace's batting lineup and also led the Lancers in stolen bases.

Grace also returns Chloe Huff who pitched 82 innings during her freshman season. Huff led the team with a 4.72 ERA while racking up 43 strikeouts. Sage Ladig will also make a return to the circle for Grace.

"All of our upperclassmen have a lot of talent and have played a lot of games for us," Carpenter added. "We are excited to see how they propel us into the year with their talent and leadership."

Grace will also bolster its lineup with a trio of newcomers. Izzy Waddle and Sami Lemler are a pair of two-way freshmen, and Daylie Rickard transferred from NCAA Division II Malone after hitting .368 for the Pioneers a year ago.

"We want to focus on playing our best softball each and every game regardless of the opponent," Carpenter raved. "This team has so much talent and has put in the work all year. We are excited to see how it pays off once we start playing games."

The Lancers will begin the season on Friday against Johnson C. Smith, which will start a six game road trip in North Carolina. Grace's first home game is scheduled for March 21 against Taylor.