Softball | 1/28/2026 2:30:00 PM
The Gannon softball team has been selected to finish third in the PSAC Western Division Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches and announced Wednesday afternoon.
Slippery Rock earned four first-place votes to claim the top spot in the division, followed by IUP with three first-place votes. The Golden Knights received one first-place vote and were slotted third ahead of Seton Hill, California (Pa.), Clarion, Pitt-Johnstown, and Edinboro.
In the Eastern Division, defending 2025 PSAC Champion East Stroudsburg was voted to finish first after collecting six first-place votes. Shippensburg followed with two first-place votes, while 2025 PSAC runner-up Shepherd earned one first-place vote.
Although the Golden Knights graduated several key contributors from last year's squad, they return an experienced group entering the 2026 season under head coach Michelle Wiley, who enters her eighth season at the helm of the program.
Smerick returns after being named the PSAC West Athlete of the Year. She finished the season hitting .394 with a team-second 55 hits, recording nine doubles, two triples, five home runs, and 32 RBIs.
In the circle, Gannon returns righthander Katie Armstrong (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell), who earned First Team All-PSAC West honors. Armstrong finished the year with a 2.51 ERA and a 15-7 record while striking out 181 batters and holding opponents to a .227 batting average.
Sadie Carroll (North Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) also returns after earning First Team All-PSAC West recognition as a true freshman. Carroll hit .378 with 42 hits, including a team-leading 13 doubles, one triple, and 26 RBIs while appearing throughout the lineup in multiple roles.
Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) returns after earning Second Team All-PSAC West honors. She hit .287 and finished second on the team with 36 RBIs, totaling 41 hits, including 10 doubles, two triples, and four home runs.
Gannon begins the 2026 season on Saturday, February 21 at 10 a.m. against West Virginia Wesleyan at the Sue Morris Sports Complex in Glenville, West Virginia as part of the Glenville State Tournament.
