Hall of Fame
Alysa led the softball program through its most successful seasons to date, including the team's first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2013.
Alysa, a dominant force at the plate, was incredible over her four seasons with the Pioneers, earning NFCA All-Region honors each year while posting a batting average above .400 in each campaign. She was also an ironwoman, starting in all 153 of her appearances for the blue and orange. The superstar shortstop picked up an array of honors, including earning four All-Empire 8 selections (two first team), a selection to the ECAC Division III All-Star Team in her junior year, and the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year in her debut season. Alysa capped off her career with a slew of records, many of which still stand today. The Mechanicville, New York native still holds the program records for career slugging percentage (.682), career total bases (339), single-season slugging percentage (.868 - 2015), and single-season stolen bases (26 - 2016), while placing second for many other categories, including career stolen bases (52), career average (.425), career on-base percentage (.467), career runs scored (142), career hits (211), and career home runs (24). Throughout her tenure, the Pioneers compiled a record of 96-60, including three trips to the Empire 8 Tournament and the program's first foray into the NCAA Tournament during her raucous rookie season in 2013. During that NCAA Tournament campaign, Russell would help lead the program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament win, grabbing two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored in a decisive 8-1 victory over Penn State - Berks. She would continue to cement her status as a big-game player in later seasons, helping guide the team to two more Empire 8 Tournaments, including a semifinal berth in 2014, and a selection to the Empire 8 All-Tournament team in 2016.
Following graduation, Alysa moved to Canada with her husband, Chris, and daughters Chloe and Quinn. She worked as an Emergency Room Nurse and continued to play softball in various recreational leagues.
