HARRISONBURG, Va. - Weather permitting, the Royals will open their 2026 campaign on Sunday when they welcome in Misericordia. Ahead of the opener, head coach JD McCurdy, who is entering his 23rd year at the helm, has announced the addition of 10 players to this year's team: nine first-years and a senior new to the softball team, but not new to EMU. 

Kaliyah Braxton
Class: Senior
Hometown: Cumberland, Va.    
High School: Cumberland
Position: Outfield
Major: Liberal Arts
Minor: Kinesiology
Achievements: Honor Society, BSA 

Kaitlyn Cunningham
Class: First-year
Hometown: Toms Brook, Va.   
High School: Strasburg
Position: Utility
Major: Psychology
Achievements: Four-year letter winner and three-year starter at Strasburg, All-A Honor Roll 

Hannah Johnston
Class: First-year
Hometown: Buckingham, Va.   
High School: Buckingham County
Position: Catcher
Major: Elementary Education
Achievements: Four-year starter at Buckingham

Aliza Judd
Class: First-year
Hometown: Winchester, Va.  
High School: James Wood
Position: Utility
Major: Accounting
Achievements: Four-year starter and letter winner at James Wood, 2x Second Team All-Region, 3x First Team All-District, Second Team All-District, Team Made Two State Tournament Appearances, Team was 2x Regional Champions, Team Was 3x District Champions, All-A Honor Roll, FBLA Vice President, FBLA Social Media Manager, National Honor Society

Payton Keesee
Class: First-year
Hometown: Poquoson, Va.   
High School: Poquoson
Position: Infield
Major: Pre-Med Biochemistry
Achievements: Three-year letter winner and two-year starter at Poquoson, National Honors Society

Jordan Lane
Class: First-year
Hometown: Buckingham, Va.   
High School: Buckingham County
Position: Right Handed Pitcher
Major: Nursing
Achievements: Seven-time letter winner and four-year starter at Buckingham County, Second Team All-VHSL, First Team All-Region, First Team All-District, National Honor Society, BETA Club

Olivia Martin
Class: First-year
Hometown: Palmyra, Va.   
High School: Fluvanna
Position: Infield
Major: Nursing
Achievements: BETA Club, National Honors Society

Arleigh Mason
Class: First-year
Hometown: Strasburg, Va.  
High School: Strasburg
Position: Infield
Major: Biology
Minor: Kinesiology & Psychology
Achievements: Four-year starter and letter winner at Strasburg, Team was Region 2B runners-up, Salutatorian, Graduated Magna Cum Laude, National Honors Society

Delaney Via
Class: First-year
Hometown: Charlottesville, Va.   
High School: Monticello
Position: Utility
Major: Nursing
Achievements: Four-year starter and letter winner at Monticello, Honorable Mention at Third Base in Senior Season, Team was 2025 Jefferson District Champions, National Honor Society

Aniyah Walker
Class: First-year
Hometown: Hampton, Va.  
High School: Bethel
Position: Outfield
Major: Business Administration & Marketing
Minor: Finance
Achievements: Two-year starter at Bethel, Graduated with Highest Honors

Be sure to check back Friday when we'll have full season previews for our 2026 softball team. 

To keep up to date with everything surrounding EMU softball, follow EMU on  Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.