HAMILTON – Colgate Softball head coach
Marissa Lamison-Myers has announced the addition of nine newcomers to the team for the 2027 season.
Hailing from six states, the nine-member class features three pitchers, three outfielders, two utility players, and an infielder. The incoming group joins a youthful roster featuring just one senior, bolstering a lineup that shattered 17 program records during a historic campaign.
Colgate comes off a 29-26 season, including a 13-5 mark in conference play to earn the No. 2 seed in the Patriot League Tournament—its highest postseason seed since capturing the top spot in 2011. The Raiders' 29 overall victories were their most in a season since 2004, while their 13 league wins marked their highest conference total since 2021.
"I couldn't be more excited to welcome these nine fresh new faces to Hamilton this Fall," said Lamison-Myers. "This group has what it takes to make a major impact right away. I can see the most change in the pitching circle and in the outfield.
"Their personalities mixed with a fantastic group of returners are going to make this team so much fun to work with. We can't wait for their arrival and most importantly the impact they will have on Colgate Softball, athletics and the academic community!"
The nine newcomers are listed below in alphabetical order.
Elizabeth Canales
P | 5-9 | R/R
Aurora, Colo. | Valor Christian
Before Colgate
Two-year captain playing for Valor Christian High School…posted career ERA of 1.982, 224 strikeouts, batting average of .523, and 43 RBIs…dubbed the Jeffco Pitcher of the Year...named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-State…received First Team All-Academic State, while being a member of National Honors Society and Summa Cum Lade…a dual-sport athlete running track and member of the Chess Club…also played club for Colorado Angels Waller.
Personal
Born: Elizabeth Samantha Canales in Aurora, Colo.
Family: Daughter of Monica and Freddie...has two brothers and a sister.
Ali Gill
OF | 5-5 | R/R
Wrentham, Mass. | King Philip Regional
Before Colgate
2026 graduate and two-year team captain at King Philip Regional High School, leading the team to the 2026 Division 2 State Championship…hit .500 with 18 home runs as a senior and holds King Philip's career (45) and single-season home run records…posted a .397 career batting average with 140 hits and 149 RBIs…named a two-time PGF Regional All-American and 2026 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year Finalist…member of the National, Math, and Science Honor Societies.
Personal
Born: Alexandria Catherine-Exner Gill in Wrentham, Mass.
Family: Daughter of Debbie and Dan.
Kathryn Hanypsiak
OF | 5-5 | R/R
Naples, Fla. | St. John Neumann
Before Colgate
2026 graduate and two-time captain at St. John Neumann Catholic High School, becoming the first Division I softball signee in school history…batted .369 with a 1.052 OPS as a senior to lead St. John Neumann to the 2026 District Championship…ranked No. 35 in the Extra Inning Softball Extra Elite 100 and won the 2026 FGCL Championship with FGCL Phinz…also competed in volleyball, weightlifting, and state-champion track. Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
Born: Kathryn Carey Hanypsiak in Naples, Fla.
Family: Daughter of Beth and Bryan…has two sisters and one brother.
Shae McMorrow
UTL | 5-5 | L/R
Ontario, Calif. | Charter Oak
Before Colgate
2026 graduate and two-year team captain at Charter Oak High School…posted a .407 career batting average, highlighted by hitting .526 with a .947 slugging percentage as a senior….a three-time Valle Vista All-League selection and two-time Defensive MVP, she earned 2026 First Team honors while leading Charter Oak to the CIF Quarterfinals…captured the 2022 Alliance Fastpitch National Championship with the OC Batbusters…earned Highest Honors and the State Seal of Biliteracy.
Personal
Born: Shae Liberty McMorrow in Ontario, Calif.
Family: Daughter of Lacey and Michael…has one brother.
Taylor Norkus
P | 5-8 | R/R
Beecher, Ill. | Beecher
Before Colgate
Played four varsity seasons at Beecher High School…posted a 1.038 ERA with 227 strikeouts in 148 innings during senior season…named 2026 RVC Player of the Year… two-time Illinois 2A First Team All-State selection (2025, 2026) and 2024 Second Team All-State honoree…two-time RVC First Team All-Conference choice (2024, 2025)… helped lead Beecher to a State Championship, State Runner-Up finish, and Sectional and Regional titles… member of the National Honor Society and High Honor Roll… served as a Class Officer and Student Council member…recipient of two local scholarships.
Personal
Born: Taylor Norkus in Beecher, Ill.
Family: Daughter of Mike and Sara...has one sister.
Liana Quiñones
UTL | 5-5 | L/R
Chula Vista, Calif. | Mater Dei Catholic
Before Colgate
2026 graduate of Mater Dei Catholic High School…helped lead the Crusaders to back-to-back Open Division CIF and California Southern Regional Championships (2025, 2026), alongside the 2026 Mesa League title…earned All-Mesa League Second Team honors in 2026 and received the Perry Award for character…totaled 44 hits, 27 RBIs, and 31 runs in her career…played club softball for Explosion Premier, placing third at the Colorado Sparkler…member of the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation.
Personal
Born: Liana Sofia Quiñones in Chula Vista, Calif.
Family: Daughter of Monica and Carlos…has two brothers and two sisters.
Hailey Staub
OF | 5-2 | R/R
Pittsburgh, Pa. | Montour
Before Colgate
2026 graduate and senior captain at Montour High School…posted a .370 career batting average with 11 home runs and 27 stolen bases…a two-time First Team All-Section selection and team Defensive Player of the Year, she helped lead Montour to the 2023 WPIAL Championship and a PIAA state runner-up finish…also won WPIAL and state titles in volleyball…played club softball for Team Pennsylvania, batting .347 in her career…four-year High Honors student and National Honor Society member.
Personal
Born: Hailey Lynn Staub in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Family: Daughter of Joe Staub.
Taylor Vescogni
P | 5-10 | R/R
Peru, Ill. | LaSalle-Peru Township
Before Colgate
Four-year varsity pitcher and senior captain at LaSalle-Peru Township High School... compiled 48 career wins, a 1.33 ERA, and a program-record 702 strikeouts over 451 innings...set the single-season record with 266 strikeouts as a senior...two-time First Team All-State selection and 2025 Interstate 8 Conference Player of the Year...led the Cavaliers to a 2025 Conference Championship and 2026 Regional title...top-10 class graduate, Illinois State Scholar, and National Honor Society member.
Personal
Born: Taylor Vescogni in Peru, Ill.
Family: Daughter of Brian and Michelle...has one sister.
Holly Yerkish
INF | 5-6 | R/R
Brea, Calif. | Brea-Olinda
Before Colgate
2026 graduate of Brea-Olinda High School and senior year captain...posted career batting average of .336, a .354 OBP, A .892 OPS, a .538 SLG with 14 HRs and 86 RBIs…named Defensive Player of the Year (2023), Offensive Player of the Year (2024), Impact Player (2025)…two-time All-North Hills League selection, First Team (2025) and Second Team (2024)…dual sport athlete and a member of inaugural flag football flag football team…academically, named a four-time Scholar Athlete (2023-26), Honors Graduate, and earned the Seal of Biliteracy in French...also played club for USA Athletics RML 18U.
Personal
Born: Holly Autumn Yerkish in Brea, Calif.
Family: Daughter of Hillary and Eddie…has one sister.
