SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University softball team is set to open the 2025 season this weekend as it begins a new season with back-to-back weekends of six games. The Lions will play six games in three days at the Gulf Shores Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala. before returning home for three straight doubleheaders against Gulf South Conference competition.

Saint Leo is coming a second-straight trip to the postseason in 2024 following a 38-19 overall record and a third place SSC finish with a 21-9 record. The Lions ended the 2024 season leading the SSC in hits, doubles, sacrifice hits, putouts, and fielding percentage. In the circle, Saint Leo led the conference in innings pitched, and strikeouts.

The Lions are reloaded and ready for the 2025 season especially with the return of Haleigh Thomas, Alexis Barber, Briana Neal, Shyanne Waller, and Hope Epps.

Saint Leo's 2025 roster features 11 new faces including a trio of transfers in Maddie Antioco (FAU), Lindsay Corazzini (Seminole State), and Juli Stachowicz (State College of Florida).  

Head Coach Erin Kinberger enters her tenth season leading her alma mater. Over the summer, Zack Carver earned a promotion to Assistant Coach following three seasons as a graduate assistant. Lexi Carver joined Kinberger's staff in the fall as a graduate assistant following a three-year playing career at Bowling Green State University, where she finished her collegiate career after transferring from the University of Louisville in 2021.

Saint Leo was picked to finish third in the 2025 SSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Lions received 85 votes and one first place vote. Saint Leo trailed only Tampa with 97 total points and eight first place votes, and Nova Southeastern with 91 points and two first place votes.  

The 2025 schedule features five opponents in the NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll (Preseason): #4 Lenoir-Rhyne (Feb. 2), #5 Wilmington (Del.) (March 7), #6 Auburn Montgomery (Jan. 31), #9 Rogers State (Okla.) (Feb. 2), #10 Tampa (Feb. 14-15) as well as Nova Southeastern (April 11-12) who is receiving votes. 
 
2025 Saint Leo Softball Schedule 
2025 Saint Leo Softball Roster