Meet the Newcomers: 2026 Michigan Softball
11/18/2025 5:33:00 PM | Softball
The University of Michigan softball program welcomed six freshmen and a junior transfer in its 2025-26 class of newcomers. With nearly three months of school and several fall ball games under their belts, they are now settled in as new Wolverines. Learn more about them off the field, what drives them to be their best and what led them to choose Ann Arbor as their college softball home.
By Maggie Meredith
Kiley Carr | IF | Allen Park, Mich.
Q: What is your softball origin story?
A: I started playing softball when I was super little and began playing travel ball at age 8. Ever since then, I've just fallen in love with the game and enjoyed being on the field.
Q: What drew you to Michigan?
A: Michigan softball has always been my inspiration. I grew up around the culture and especially Michigan athletics. When I took my visit here, I knew this was where I wanted to be.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being on campus?
A: My favorite part of being on campus is obviously getting to play softball, but also getting to hang out with the team and getting to see how everyone's personalities blend together.
Q: If you did not play softball, what do you think you would be doing in college?
A: I think I would have tried to play volleyball, because I really enjoyed playing in high school.
Q: What is your mindset before a big game?
A: I try not to think too much before a big game, but if I do, I'm telling myself that if I get an opportunity to help the team, I need to get the job done and to fall back on my training.
Favorite Artist: Cody Johnson
Pregame Ritual: Having an Alani
Road Trip Must Have: Takis and headphones
Convince me otherwise: The birds on the power line are fake
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Harper Murray
Guilty Pleasure Movie/TV Show: The Vampire Diaries
Desired superpower? Flying
Do you believe in Bigfoot? Yes
Rachel Del Busto | C | Eastlake, Calif.
Q: What is your softball origin story?
A: I started playing T-ball when I was 4, along with my twin brother Ruben, then switched to softball and absolutely fell in love with it.
Q: What drew you to Michigan?
A: Michigan is a school that gives the full package: great academics, athletics and school spirit, and the people here are amazing.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being on campus?
A: My favorite part has been practicing and playing with the team and just being a part of this program. Being out on Alumni Field has been a blast, and my teammates and coaches have made it better.
Q: If you did not play softball, what do you think you would be doing in college?
A: I think I would be doing volleyball in college, because it was a sport that always seemed fun but never pursued because I was and am so into softball.
Q: What is your mindset before a big game?
A: I like to remind myself to not make the moment bigger than it really is and to stay calm and have confidence in my abilities. Confidence is key.
Favorite Artist: Jack Harlow
Pregame Ritual: Getting ready in the exact same order every time. Uniform goes on socks, jersey and then pants, then I do my hair.
Road Trip Must Have: Good music
Convince me otherwise: Water isn't wet
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Aaron Judge
Guilty Pleasure Movie/TV Show: High School Musical
Desired superpower? Flying
Do you believe in Bigfoot? No
Gabby Ellis | RHP | Green Cove Springs, Fla.
Q: What is your softball origin story?
A: I started playing when I was 5 years old and watched my older sister play and fell in love instantly.
Q: What drew you to Michigan?
A: The school as a whole, along with the coaching staff. I also knew that I was going to get opportunities here that I couldn't get other places.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being on campus?
A: Honestly, I really like the squirrels. They are everywhere and they let you get so close to them. On a serious note, I have really enjoyed hanging out and getting to know my teammates.
Q: If you did not play softball, what do you think you would be doing in college?
A: I would definitely be playing a sport. I would like to think that I would be playing maybe soccer or volleyball.
Q: What is your mindset before a big game?
A: I try not to think too much before a big game or else it leaks into my performance. I don't want to overthink and make it bigger than it actually is.
Favorite Artist: Zach Bryan
Pregame Ritual: I have to put my uniform on the same way every time. Sliding shorts, right sock, left sock, pants, jersey, belt.
Road Trip Must Have: A fuzzy blanket and my emotional support water bottle
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Yadier Molina
Guilty Pleasure Movie/TV Show: Grey's Anatomy. I could watch it all day long.
Desired superpower? I have two: Teleportation and being able to talk to animals. I want to know what my dog is thinking.
Do you believe in Bigfoot? Yes, absolutely
Sydney Hastings | C | Saline, Mich.
Q: What is your softball origin story?
A: I started playing softball when I was 6 years old with a T-ball team and progressed up throughout the years, loving it since the beginning.
Q: What drew you to Michigan?
A: Michigan has been my dream since I was young. I grew up surrounded by Michigan sports, and when I started playing softball, I always dreamed of being on the Michigan softball team. The coaches and team are amazing, and the academic excellence is incredible.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being on campus?
A: My favorite part of being on campus is getting to play at Alumni Field. It's such a fun and competitive environment that I love participating in every day.
Q: If you did not play softball, what do you think you would be doing in college?
A: I think I would just be going to college for education or if I didn't play softball my whole life, I think I would have found a different sport that I could have played in college.
Q: What is your mindset before a big game?
A: Be a competitor, stay aggressive and be energetic.
Favorite Artist: Morgan Wallen
Pregame Ritual: I always have to put my certain hair ribbon in my hair for game days
Road Trip Must Have: Pretzels or dark chocolate blueberries
Convince me otherwise: All red candies taste better
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Tom Brady
Guilty Pleasure Movie/TV Show: Grey's Anatomy
Desired superpower? Ability to fly
Do you believe in Bigfoot? Unfortunately not
Grayson LaMarche | RHP | Escanaba, Mich.
Q: What is your softball origin story?
A: I started playing softball when I was 9 years old and immediately fell in love with it.
Q: What drew you to Michigan?
A: The amazing softball staff, academics and beautiful campus.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being on campus?
A: Starting practice and getting to give it my all every day with my teammates.
Q: If you did not play softball, what do you think you would be doing in college?
A: If I wasn't playing softball, I think I would have tried to play volleyball in college because that was my second favorite sport.
Q: What is your mindset before a big game?
A: Leave everything out on the field and have fun doing it
Favorite Artist: Chris Stapleton
Pregame Ritual: Listening to music to get me pumped
Road Trip Must Have: Red Bull
Convince me otherwise: Sleeping with socks on is normal
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Montana Fouts
Guilty Pleasure Movie/TV Show: The Vampire Diaries
Desired superpower? Teleporting
Do you believe in Bigfoot? Yes, he's lurking out there somewhere
Lily Palko | IF | Transfer, Pa.
Q: What is your softball origin story?
A: I have been playing softball since I was 4 years old and started playing travel ball when I was 8 years old. At the age of 9, I knew I wanted to play at the next level, specifically Michigan.
Q: What drew you to Michigan?
A: Derek Jeter and Sierra Romero
Q: What has been your favorite part of being on campus?
A: Fueling Blue
Q: If you did not play softball, what do you think you would be doing in college?
A: Playing another sport.
Q: What is your mindset before a big game?
A: Pressure is a privilege
Favorite Artist: Ty Myers
Pregame Ritual: Swing with a wooden bat off the tee
Road Trip Must Have: Iced coffee
Convince me otherwise: Banana flavored ice cream is the best
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Derek Jeter
Guilty Pleasure Movie/TV Show: The Notebook
Desired superpower? Teleportation
Do you believe in Bigfoot? No
Siena Snyder | IF | St. Louis, Mo.
Q: What is your softball origin story?
A: I started playing softball when I was 3 years old after spending the first three years of my life watching my two older brothers' baseball games every weekend.
Q: What drew you to Michigan?
A: The absolutely amazing softball staff, program and academic excellence.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being on campus?
A: My favorite part of being on campus has been being out on Alumni Field with my teammates. Our practices are so high-energy, and I love every second of it.
Q: If you did not play softball, what do you think you would be doing in college?
A: If I didn't play softball, I think I would have tried to play basketball in college because I really enjoyed playing basketball in high school.
Q: What is your mindset before a big game?
A: Before a big game, I often remind myself of all the hard work I have put in and I focus on trusting myself and my abilities.
Favorite Artist: Jack Harlow
Pregame Ritual: Listening to "It Was a Good Day" by Ice Cube
Road Trip Must Have: Twin Snakes
Convince me otherwise: Pineapple belongs on pizza
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Stephen Curry
Guilty Pleasure Movie/TV Show: High School Musical
Desired superpower? Superspeed
Do you believe in Bigfoot? Yes
