WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University softball program is preparing for a bounce back season under the leadership of head coach
Justen Burns, who enters his ninth season.
Gallaudet will look to rebound after a challenging 2025 season where it finished with a 5-29 record. The Bison return last year's first-team all-conference selection
Lacey Drolsbaugh (Lansdale, Pa.), who is expected to serve as the team's workhorse pitcher. She'll be joined in the pitching rotation by sophomores
Kinsley Bond (Beulaville, N.C.) and
Olivia Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.), who will provide key support as the second and third options in the circle.
GU returns four veterans (three starters) and welcomes seven new student-athletes this season. The Bison also face a competitive schedule as they look to build on last year's results and increase their win total.
Below is a breakdown of the 2026 Gallaudet softball team.
2025 Review
Record: 5-29
United East: 2-14
TOP RETURNERS
Lacey Drolsbaugh (Lansdale, Pa.), Sr., Pitcher/Outfield
Drolsbaugh, a standout two-way player, earned team MVP honors last season and was named to the all-conference first team. She posted a .440 batting average with four home runs and 16 RBI, along with a .495 on-base percentage in 34 games. She also tallied 19 stolen bases on 19 chances. In the circle, Drolsbaugh served as the team's ace, recording 100 strikeouts over 105.1 innings pitched.
Kinsley Bond (Beulaville, N.C.), So., Third Base/Pitcher
Bond adds extra punch to the offense after recording 26 hits in 94 at-bats last season, along with 12 RBI. Bond led the team with seven doubles and was third with two triples.
Olivia Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.), So., Shortstop/Pitcher
Wascher continues to set the tone with strong and steady defense and logged over 31 innings in the pitching circle last year.
IMPACT NEWCOMERS
Geneva Brock (Carmichael, Calif.), Fy., Catcher/Utility
Brock has a strong and reliable arm behind the plate.
Sammie Howell (Columbus, Mont.), Fy., Second Base/Outfield
Howell adds depth to the lineup as a talented switch hitter with the ability to drive in runs for the Bison.
Sophia Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.), So., Catcher/Outfield
Wascher is set to make her softball season debut after missing her first year due to injury. She is versatile, able to contribute at both catcher and center field, and is ready to take on a larger role with the Bison this season.
KEY LOSSES
Lou Cherena (El Paso, Texas), Catcher/Utility
Cherena wrapped up her three-year career with the Bison with a .243 batting average, 22 RBI, 37 stolen bases, and nine doubles across 263 at-bats.
Andi Sisemore (Arlington, Texas), Utility
Sisemore played two seasons for the Bison and recorded a .300 batting average with 18 hits in 60 at-bats last season. She was also steady defensively, committed just one error for a .947 fielding percentage.
Caitlyn Smith (Indianapolis, Ind.), Infielder
Smith was named a two-time all-conference honoree (2025 - first team, 2023 - second team) and was a four-year letterwinner for the Bison. Smith posted a .343 career batting average, three home runs and 70 RBI and posted a .373 OBP in 111 games.
QUOTING COACH
"Each doubleheader brings its own challenges, so our focus is on showing up with our best energy, execution, and mindset every time we take the field this season." -
Justen Burns, Gallaudet University softball head coach
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
- Season/Home Opener: vs. Wilson - Fri., Feb. 27
- Conference Opener: vs. Lancaster Bible - Sat., March 28
- Senior Day: vs. Penn College - Sat., April 25
The softball schedule features 32 regular-season games with the United East Conference postseason tournament slated to start on April 29. GU will have all doubleheader games except for single games at the Triangle Collegiate Softball Classic.
Gallaudet will open the season at home with a non-conference doubleheader game against Wilson College on Feb. 27.
The buff and blue will travel to Frederick, Md., to take on Hood College on March 4. After that, the Bison will head to Raleigh, N.C., for the Triangle Collegiate Softball Classic, where they will face four different schools in non-conference action at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex.
GU will return home for a non-conference matchup against Sarah Lawrence College on March 8 before heading to New York City to face York (N.Y.) College on March 12 and Yeshiva University on March 13 to wrap up play before spring break.
After spring break, the Bison will begin United East conference play on March 28, with a home doubleheader against Lancaster Bible College.
The month of April will feature 14 conference doubleheaders and one non-conference matchup.
Gallaudet will host Notre Dame of Maryland University at home on April 1 before beginning a Pennsylvania road trip with conference matchups at Cairn University (April 4) and Keystone College (April 11). The Bison will step out of conference to play two games at Penn State Scranton on April 12. The Bison will resume conference play at home against Penn St.-Abington on April 15 before heading out for back-to-back road games at Penn St. Harrisburg on April 18 and Penn St.-Berks on April 21. Gallaudet will then return to the GU Softball Complex for its final home conference doubleheader of the regular season against Penn College of Technology on Saturday, April 25, where the program will also celebrate its senior class.
The United East postseason begins on April 29.
All home games will be played at the GU Softball Complex.
