Roosevelt Rough Riders 2026 Softball Preview
Team name: Roosevelt Rough Riders
2025 record: 3-17
Coach: Jay Weiss - 1st year
Coaching staff: Meaggan Pettipiece
Key returning players: Aubrey Henry (Sr) 3B/OF, Skylar Lauck (Sr) INF, Brynn Moser (Sr) P/2B, Lily Robb (Jr) C/3B, Jilli Smith (Soph) SS, Kamia Walker (Sr) OF
Position outlook:
Infield: 1B is a 3-way battle between (Sr) Katlyn Ciolek (Sr) Adrianna Poole and (Frosh) Eden Craver-Dean. Ciolek & Poole are both good hitters with power while Dean a natural Lefty is very smooth defensively and continues to improve at the plate. 2B Skyler Lauck (Sr) is slated to move from 3B to 2B. She was one of our leading hitters a year ago and we're expecting even bigger things this season. 3B Aubrey Henry (Sr) is expected to get the call at 3B. Her hard work and dedication are contributing to her success both at the plate and in the field. SS Jillian Smith (Soph) will be the starting shortstop. She has good range and a strong arm and with a year under her belt we are looking for Jilli to be one of our top hitters this season. Utility Ja'hayla Jones is our ace in the hole so to speak. She is capable of playing 2B SS or 3B and is a natural leader who plays with great heart and determination.
Outfield: Kamia Walker (Sr) is our lone returning OF starter. She is a switch hitter with good speed and excellent baserunning skills. Emeila Gates (Frosh) while only a freshman has been extremely impressive both at the plate and in the field. Savannah Vintson (Jr) has outstanding speed and the potential to be an excellent OF and a threat at the plate. Dean, Poole Henry and Frosh Addy Dunlap could also see some time in the OF.
Catcher: Lily Robb (Jr) returns to handle the pitching staff. She has good receiving skills to go along with a strong accurate arm and we are expecting a breakout season at the plate this season. Razia Ahmed (Frosh) and Addy Dunlap (Frosh) are working hard and making great progress in learning the trade at this level.
Pitching staff: Brynn Moser who just signed to continue her softball career at Hiram College returns as the #1 starter. She is very competive and a natural leader. Katlyn Ciolek is an experienced # 2 Pitcher when not playing First Base. Taliyah Dukes (Frosh) is working hard and improving every day. We are looking for big things from her in the future.
Season outlook / expectations: “We are fortunate to have six experienced seniors returning including our #1 Pitcher Brynn Moser and Catcher Lily Robb as well as 4 year starting infielder Skylar Lauck,” said Weiss. “Our senior leadership, positive attitude and willingness to learn are all positives. Having two experience pitchers in Moser and Ciolek and a returning starter in Robb catching as well as a four year starter in Lauck is a great foundation for success.”
