SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Five Irish softball freshmen were tabbed to the 2026 Softball America Freshman Watch List, the organization announced Monday. Molly Conner, Lily Hagan, Hayden Kyne, Jillian Torres and Ava Zachary all were tabbed with preseason recognition.
For Zachary, it’s the second watch list of the preseason for the infielder from nearby Mishawaka, Indiana. She was named to the D100 Softball D100 Freshman Watch List just last week. Zachary was named 2025 Indiana Miss Softball during her senior season at Penn High School and hit .482 with 196 hits, 174 RBI, 169 runs, 41 doubles, 20 home runs and 79 stolen bases in her high school career.
A native of Waterville, Ohio, Conner was ranked the No. 9 overall prospect in the 2025 class by Extra Innings softball out of high school, and is the school record holder for most strikeouts (254), wins (18) and doubles (17) in a single-season at Anthony Wayne High School.
Hagan was the 2025 A North Pitcher of the Year and a four-time All-Division player at Red Bank Catholic High School in Colts Neck, N.J. She totaled 550 strikeouts and a 1.35 ERA in the circle and hit .416 with 20 home runs and 106 RBI at the plate during her high school career.
Kyne, who will compete for time behind the plate, was a 2025 Sacramento Athlete of the Year Finalist at Vacaville High School in Vacaville, California. She was ranked the No. 4 catcher and No. 13 overall player in the 2025 class by Line Drive Media and led her team with a .431 batting average, 1.803 OPS, 17 home runs and 51 stolen bases during her career.
Torres, who will compete for a starting spot in the Irish outfield this spring, was dubbed a 2025 PCF High School All-American and Orange County Senior All Star during her senior year at Santa Margarita High School in Orange County, California. Torres was the No. 3 ranked player in California according to Legacy and Legends Softball.
Notre Dame opens the season on February 6th at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida against Auburn.