Softball Postseason Preview: Pride Head Into GNAC Pod Play as No. 3S Seed, Riding Late-Season Surge
WESTON, Mass. — After finishing the regular season 13-21 and an even 9-9 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play, the Pride have earned the No. 3 seed in the South Division. They will open postseason pod play this Wednesday, April 29 at 3:30 p.m. at the University of Saint Joseph before traveling to No. 1 seed Simmons University this weekend for Day 2 of pod play and the pod finals. The postseason format is double elimination, meaning a team must lose twice to be eliminated.
The Pride offense has been anchored by a strong core at the plate. Junior Mel Rees leads the way, batting a team-best .385 with 37 hits and 18 RBIs while adding eight doubles and a .469 slugging percentage. Sophomore Lynsey Kay has been a key run producer, hitting .315 with 34 hits and 20 RBIs, including a team-high 16 extra-base hits (10 doubles, five triples, and a home run). Sophomore Samantha Kelepouris has also been steady, batting .337 with 31 hits and 16 RBIs, including 10 doubles, a triple, and a home run, along with a .396 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage.
Additional offensive depth has come from Francesca Licata, who is hitting .327 with 33 hits and 12 RBIs, and senior Madi Zancan, who is batting .333 with 21 hits and 13 RBIs while posting a team-best .447 on-base percentage and adding five extra-base hits. Sydney Grund rounds out the group, hitting .278 with 27 hits, seven extra-base hits, and a .381 on-base percentage, giving the Pride a balanced and consistent lineup heading into the postseason. Licata has also been a steady presence in the outfield, while Zancan anchors the infield.
In the circle, sophomore Kate Julian has led the pitching staff, posting a 3.03 ERA with a 9–6 record across 19 appearances, including 14 starts. Over 90 innings, she has struck out 62 batters while allowing just two home runs and maintaining a 1.38 WHIP. Junior Mya Gaspie has provided valuable depth, appearing in 15 games with eight starts and logging 52.2 innings while striking out 37 hitters, contributing both as a starter and out of the bullpen.
This Pride squad is built largely around its sophomore and junior core, while leaning on the leadership and experience of lone senior Madi Zancan. The group has also seen steady contributions from first-year Avery Simpson, who has been a consistent presence in the lineup throughout the season.
Regis enters the postseason playing its best softball of the year, winning eight of its last ten games. During that stretch, the Pride offense has been especially potent, recording 14 or more hits in five of those victories. With momentum building at the right time, this is a team capable of making noise and turning some heads.
Full GNAC release can be found HERE.
2026 GNAC Softball Tournament Schedule
Pod A
GNAC Pod Play – Day 1
Wednesday, April 29 – hosted at higher seeds
Game 1A: #1N Simmons v. #4N Emmanuel, 5:00 pm
Game 2A: #2S University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) v. #3S Regis, 3:30 pm
Pod Play - Day 2
Saturday, May 2 – hosted at #1N Simmons
Game 3A: W Game 1A v W Game 2A, 11:00 am
Game 4A: L Game 1A v L Game 2A (elimination game), 2:00 pm
Game 5A: L Game 3A v W Game 4A (elimination game), 5:00 pm
Pod Finals
Sunday, May 3 – hosted at #1N Simmons
Game 6A: W Game 3A v W Game 5A, 12:00 pm
Game 7A: Repeat of game 6A (if necessary), 30 minutes after conclusion of game 6A
Pod B
GNAC Pod Play – Day 1
Wednesday, April 29 – hosted at higher seeds
Game 1: #1S Albertus Magnus v. #4S Lasell, 1:00 pm
Game 2: #2N Saint Joseph's (Maine) v. #3N Rivier, tbd
GNAC Pod Play – Day 2
Saturday, May 2 – hosted at #1S Albertus Magnus
Game 3: W Game 1 v W Game 2, 10:00 am
Game 4: L Game 1 v L Game 2 (elimination game), 1:00 pm
Game 5: L Game 3 v W Game 4 (elimination game), 4:00 pm
Pod Finals
Sunday, May 3 – hosted at #1S Albertus Magnus
Game 6: W Game 3 v W Game 5, 10:00 am
Game 7: If necessary, repeat of game 6 if W Game 5 wins Game 6
(elimination game), 1:00 pm
Championship Series
Friday, May 8 (Location dependent on even or odd year and
highest seed remaining)
Game 8: Pod A winner v Pod B winner, tbd
Saturday, May 9 (same location)
Game 9: Pod A winner v Pod B winner (elimination
game if W Game 8 wins), tbd
Game 10 (If each team has a win): Pod A winner v Pod
B winner (elimination game), tbd