As the Oakville girls softball team begins the 2026 season, there is an air of optimism that is flowing through the Tigers starting lineup.
“I’m very optimistic,” Oakville head coach Rich Sturm said. “We’ve got a good combo of younger and veteran players, and the girls are working hard. So I’m excited about this season and ready to go.”
Junior Lola Seawel will return to the pitcher’s circle again for the Tigers after posting a record of 12-7 overall in 2025 with an area-leading 208 strikeouts for a 1.38 earned run average (ERA). Seawel is also dangerous at the plate with a .300 batting average, in which she racked up five home runs and 16 runs batted in (RBI).
“Lola is a tremendous talent in the pitcher’s circle and led the area in strikeouts last season,” Sturm said. “She’s also a pretty good hitter for us, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do this year.”
Lily Alton is a senior at shortstop who’s also a serious threat at the plate for the Tigers. In 2025, she batted .411 with 13 RBI and 10 walks.
“She’s such a hard worker and overall a great kid,” Sturm said. “She’s improved a lot defensively and is a player with a very high softball IQ. I feel really good about what we have up the middle with her playing at shortstop.”
Sophomore Addie Kristof will see time at first base along with pitching duties after batting .316 with 12 RBI and eight walks in 2025. In the pitching circle, she went 1-0 in 14.3 innings pitched with a 1.47 ERA.
“Addie’s our No. 2 pitcher, and she’s been looking really good in the circle this year,” Sturm said. “She’s another great kid on this year’s team that’s a hard worker and very consistent for us.”
Ellie Tillman is a senior on this year’s squad who should see time at catcher as well as the outfield. In 2025, she batted .305 with 11 RBI and five walks.
“I’m expecting good production out of her this year,” Sturm said. “Ellie’s a player that has a lot of potential at the plate from a power standpoint.”
Junior Olivia May will also see time up the middle this season at second base and shortstop. Last season she batted .301 with 10 RBI and three walks.
“Olivia had a really good sophomore year,” Sturm said. “She has gap power and can steal bases for us. But also she’s a player with good hands and a decent arm in the infield.”
Juniors Gianna Galli and Brooke Lee, along with senior Sophie Hiller, will factor in the Tigers success for 2026.
“Gianna has good power, she’s fast and she also has a good arm,” Sturm said. “Brooke is very good defensively and is a contact hitter that knows the strike zone very well. Sophie has worked hard over the course of the past year and has improved her game so much, and I think that she’s going to get some opportunities in our lineup this year.”
Dixie Belz is a talented freshman catcher while Kelsie Williams is a promising third baseman.
“Dixie is a legit hitter and a very good catcher,” Sturm said. “I believe that Kelsie is going to be someone to watch over the course of the next four years at Oakville.”
The Tigers open up their 2026 season at Lutheran South on Sept. 2.