Kelly Hirlas returns to her hometown to work on her graduate degree and try her hand at coaching, joining Taylor Lira on the St. Mary’s Softball staff for the 2026 season.
 
Hirlas, a 2025 graduate of Sterling College with a degree in business management, was a Third-Team All-Conference outfield selection as a senior. She hit .371 with a .420 on-base percentage and a .425 slugging percentage. As a junior, she played in all 46 games, hitting .413 and 57 hits. She earned the NCCAA Scholar Athlete Award as a senior.
 
She graduated from International School of the Americas in San Antonio, where she was named the Outstanding Player of the Year, as well as Academic All-District, and Second-Team All-District.