Half a Dozen Join Softball for 2026
Suffolk softball will have a batch of new faces on its 2026 squad as six newcomers are set to join the fold, head coach Megan Cook announced.
BOSTON – Suffolk softball will have a batch of new faces on its 2026 squad as six newcomers are set to join the fold, head coach Megan Cook announced.
The group is comprised of five true freshmen in Claire Basaldua, Roma Briad, Kendal Heyman, Talia Stein-Trujilloand Dana Still, and one transfer, junior Ava Lanza.
Position wise, there are two outfields (Basaldua and Still), one infielder (Lanza), one utility (Stein-Trujillo) and a pair of catchers that player other positions in Briad and Heyman.
When combined with returners Suffolk's 43rd-squad is made up of 16 players, who look to return to the Conference of New England (CNE) postseason for the fifth consecutive campaign.
The Rams get their season underway this weekend with four games in California.
RAMS ROOKIES RESUMES
CLAIRE BASALDUA | FR. | OF | MARANA, ARIZ. / MARANA
BEFORE SUFFOLK – MARANA
Letterwinner at Marana ... National Honor Society member and Yearbook Editor in Chief … Participated in Yearbook, Academic Decathlon, and Key Club.
ROMA BRIAD | FR. | C/UTL | PEABODY, MASS. / ST. MARY'S
BEFORE SUFFOLK – ST. MARY'S
Lettered and served as team captain at St. Mary's … Three-time CCL champion … Three-time league All-Star and Item Live All-Star.
KENDAL HEYMAN | FR. | C/OF | GILMANTON, N.H. / GILFORD
BEFORE SUFFOLK – GILFORD
Letterwinner and served as team captain at Gilford ... Led Gilford to the NHIAA Division III Runner-Up in 2023-24 ... Two-time NHIAAA Division III Second-Team All-State ... NHIAAA Division III Honorable Mention in 2024 ... Also lettered in soccer and captained the team ... Anchored Gilford to the 2022 NHIAA Division III Girls' Soccer Championship and a runner-up finish a year later (2023) ... NHIAA Division III First-Team All-State in 2024 ... Member of National Honor Society ... Participated in student council.
AVA LANZA | JR. | IF | WRENTHAM, MASS. / KING PHILIP REGIONAL / BENTLEY
BEFORE SUFFOLK – BENTLEY (2024-25)
Began her collegiate career at Bentley ... Appeared in 30 games over two seasons ... Produced 11 hits including one triple, four RBI and 10 runs scored.
BEFORE SUFFOLK – KING PHILIP REGIONAL
Letterwinner at King Philip Regional and captained the team as a senior ... Helped King Philp Regional reach the final four of the MIAA Division I state tournament ... Aided to back-to-back state tournament appearances as a sophomore and junior ... Hockomock League Champions in 2022 ... Recognized for Excellence in Career Development.
TALIA STEIN-TRUJILLO | FR. | UTL | LEAVENWORTH, WASH. / CASCADE
BEFORE SUFFOLK – CASCADE
Letterwinner at Cascade and captained the team as a senior ... Three-time First-Team honoree … Also lettered in ice hockey.
DANA STILL | FR. | OF | NEW BOSTON, N.H. / GOFFSTOWN
BEFORE SUFFOLK – GOFFSTOWN
Letterwinner at Goffstown ... Honorable Mention All-State in 2025 ... Also lettered in volleyball and captained the team in 2024 ... Earned letterwinner status in basketball as well.