Roosevelt ended last season on a tear to secure a spot in the conference tournament, and the 2026 Lakers are looking to build off that momentum. All-GLIAC Second Team honorees Ella Dvoracek and Kailey Hancock are each back for their junior seasons to lead a new-look Roosevelt squad this year. Already 1-1 after splitting its opening weekend against UIS, Roosevelt is looking to again ride its strong pitching and defense to new heights in the Lakers’ second year in the GLIAC.
The pitching staff is again anchored by Hancock and sophomore Riley Czarnecki, both of whom showed improvements in the first two games of this season. Hancock has increased her velocity to add to her impeccable control of her pitches while Czarnecki has harnessed her speed and refined her accuracy. The pair will be complemented out of the bullpen by Catie Luzzi and Rebecca Urbaniak, both of whom will give opponents a different look in the circle from Roosevelt’s main pitchers.
Perhaps the biggest question for the Lakers entering this season was at the corners with the graduation of four-year contributors at first and third base. Roosevelt will trot out an entirely new infield entirely this season with two freshman and a transfer joining Ava Kaspar, who makes the transition from third to first base. The outfield will remain intact as Dvoracek handles duties in right field, senior Caitlin Williams is in left and the ever-dangerous Kendall Pearson patrolling center field. Pearson has already proven again why it is a risk to run on her, having thrown out a runner at home plate in Roosevelt’s first doubleheader of the season.
The Lakers again rely on team speed to power the offense with Dvoracek at the top of the lineup and a bevy of speedsters sprinkled throughout the order. Sophia Barofsky and Kennedi Robien are among those that will provide some pop, along with whoever starts at catcher – sophomore Libby Kreykes or junior transfer Madisyn Schrad – as the pair will split duties behind the plate.
