LAKEVILLE - As Garrett McBride enters his second season at the helm of LaVille softball, optimism abounds for the Lancers. "The team overall is still very young with five sophomores and eight freshmen," said the LHS coach. "We have three seniors and two juniors. Lexis Owens and Kylah Bell are returning seniors and Faith Mejer is back to play her senior season. Returning junior is Maddie Adkins who can provide some infield versatility, baserunning speed and adds depth to our catcher position. Returning sophomores include Grace McBride, Syndey Williams, Mady Geraghty, Caydence Pena and Anabelle Carder. McBride and Owens are returning all conference players and I’d expect them to make a strong push for repeat accolades as well as a few other players that may develop through the season." LaVille is looking to improve on a 1-23 overall record after, "learning, growing and developing through the season", according to McBride. A pair of Indiana Northern State Conference players return in senior Lexis Owens and sophomore Grace McBride. Owens, who has signed to continue her academic and athletic career at Calumet College, hit .515 with six extra base hits a year ago. Grace McBride led the team with a .586 average with seven extra base hits and a team-high 16 RBI. Stats are compliments of Game Changer. Coach McBride is excited about a large freshman class that brought eight players into the program. "Possibly the most exciting point with the team is the large freshman class which brings in three pitchers and a good utility player," explained the LaVille skipper. "Freshman pitchers are Lauren Hobkirk, MaKenna Christy (who also catches) and Savannah Wagner. Lexi McQueen adds depth all around the field with her utility attributes along. The freshman class is bringing more depth to our offense as well with solid/consistent bats. A few other freshmen who are showing some really good base running skills to help in key situations include Addison Stump and Abby Nace. Adding to our freshman depth we have Zoe Owens, and Evadene Richhart. Laney Bellman, a new junior, is the type of player that can help in various ways like defensive depth, consistent bat and also adds depth to our catcher position." Last season, LaVille relied on several players to help inside the circle, including one who graduated and one who moved out of district. We asked McBride about the battery and what that looks like for the coming season. "(Lauren) Hobkirk, (MaKenna) Christy and (Savannah) Wagner will control the mound for us with a majority of the work likely to be handled by Hobkirk," noted Coach McBride. "Christy will help us behind the plate as will McQueen. We have a lot of depth at catcher which could create a good competitive opportunity for players to step up and help our team." Those returning that played infield last season include Grace McBride at third base, Lexis Owens at shortstop, and Kylah Bell at first. Coach McBride will have those players to help build his team around in 2026. Experience returns in the outfield, led by center fielder Cayden Pena and outfield swing Kylah Bell. McBride also expects to give Lexis Owens time in the outfield this season. "... thanks to our defensive depth in other positions which will improve our defense as a whole," said the LaVille coach. LHS also looks to improve on a sixth place finish in the Indiana Northern State Conference last season and McBride knows the INSC will be tough. "I’m sure the INSC will be competitive," said the Lancer boss. "The conference as a whole graduated some strong players last year, but the other coaches do a really good job at preparing their teams. We look forward to conference play because that will be a constant marker in our progress as a program." During our discussion we asked about key players to watch out for in 2026. "Players to watch will be all 3 seniors. Lexis Owens looks to repeat as all conference player. Kylah Bell looks to have a productive senior season after missing most of last season due to injury. Faith Mejer looks to have a productive senior season after missing 2 years due to injuries. Grace McBride looks to build off her great freshman season and continue to help change the trajectory of LaVille softball. Lauren Hobkirk and MaKenna Christy are players to watch on the mound and at the plate as they could help catapult the LaVille softball program to a higher competitiveness." As we closed our time, we had the coach talk about the resurgence in numbers, a pleasant surprise so far this season and some off-season work. "The program is really starting to gain some momentum as we have 19 players on the roster this year which is very exciting for the growth of the program at LaVille," closed McBride. "I shouldn’t be surprised, but it is nice to see just like last year the senior and junior players are handling the leadership very well. Grace McBride is bringing leadership as a sophomore. Our team has expectations within our culture that we started developing last year and they are continuing to develop this year. "During the offseason the freshman and sophomores were putting in the work and I’m excited to see them hit the field. Everyone will contribute in some way through the season and I’m excited to see them get those opportunities. I’m anxious to get into live game play so we can see how our freshman pitchers will improve our team from last season." 2026 LaVille Softball Schedule Head Coach: Garrett McBride |Assistant Coach: Priscilla Wolfe April 1 @ North Judson-San Pierre 545pm April 7 v Culver Academy 530pm April 9 v Culver, 5pm April 10 @ Morgan Township 6pm April 13 v SB Washington 530pm April 15 v Marquette Catholic 6pm April 16 @ John Glenn* 530pm April 18 @ Lakewood Park Christian 10am April 20 v Argos 5pm April 21 @ Jimtown* 530pm April 23 v Knox* 530pm April 27 v Triton 530pm April 28 @ Bremen* 530pm April 30 v Tippecanoe Valley* 530pm May 4 @ Mishawaka Marian 5pm May 5 v John Glenn* 530pm May 7 v Jimtown* 530pm May 8 at Elkhart Christian Academy 530pm May 12 at Knox* 530pm May 14 v Bremen* 530pm May 16 @ Plymouth Tourney 10am May 19 @ Tippecanoe Valley* 530pm May 20 @ Oregon-Davis 530pm May 21 v Plymouth 5pm May 25-28 IHSAA Sectional at Bremen TBA June 2 IHSAA Regional TBA June 6 IHSAA Semi-State TBA June 12 IHSAA State TBA * denotes INSC game Home games played at Newton Park