UTICA,NY - The Utica University softball team will begin its 2025 campaign on Sunday, March 9 at 9:00 a.m. against Wheaton College. This will open the team's 10 game slate down in Kissimmee, Florida at the Fortune Road Athletic Complex in the Spring Games. 
 
Follow Along: Live video for all of The Spring Games can be found here. 
 
Last Season: The Pioneers finished 22-15 overall and had an 8-6 conference record. This was the Pioneers second winning season in a row. The team was one win away from being crowned Empire 8 champions after beating Alfred University and St.John Fisher in the postseason. They ultimately fell in the final game in a rematch against St. John Fisher. The Pioneers were impressive offensively, finishing second in the conference in batting average, third in homeruns, and third in runs batted in. Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs), who will be returning for the 2025 season, ranked 12th in the conference in fielding percentage. Little was also proficient in stopping opposing runners from stealing home, earning her All-Empire 8 Second Team, and Empire 8 All-Tournament Team. 
 
Season Outlook: The Pioneers are scheduled to play 38 games this season with the first 10 taking place in Kissimmee, FL at the Fortune Road Athletic Complex. When they return home, they will be hosting RPI in a non-conference matchup on March 22. Their first conference game will be against Hartwick College on Saturday, March 9 at Greenman Softball Field. Please Note: All dates and times are subject to change.
 
In the Dugout: Rinae Olsen will be returning after leading the team to another successful season. Previous to Rinae's arrival, the team had not had a winning season since 2018, now the team is hoping for their third winning season in a row. Pitching Coach Kari Beane will be returning for her 15th season with Megan White coming back for her third season as assistant coach. Jessica Scott is a new addition to the staff as she fills the role of volunteer assistant coach. 
 
Key losses: Jennifer Rodriguez (Sylmar, CA/John F. Kennedy) and Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) are two huge losses for the Pioneers. The pair had the two highest batting averages in the conference. As a freshman, Rodriguez earned a handful of awards, including NFCA Third Team All-American, NFCA All-Region III First Team, Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, ECAC Rookie of the Year, All-Empire 8 First Team UTL, Empire 8 All-Tournament Team. On top of having the second best batting average in the conference, Joss also finished the season with the best on base percentage in the league. Throughout her years at Utica, Joss has also received her fair share of awards, including three All-Empire 8 First Team awards, an ALL-ECAC Team award, and NFCA All-Region III Second Team.
 
Back for Another Go: Utica will be returning 12 players, all who were a part of the team's memorable postseason run. Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs), Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), Erica Sanford (Boonville, NY/Adirondack), Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester), Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College), Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker), Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional), Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional), Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck), Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie), Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston), and Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa), will all be bringing their experience and winning mentality back for another season. 
 
Rae's Day: Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) was named to the All-Empire 8 Second Team at catcher last season, and Utica's Empire 8 Player to Watch this season. Little concluded the regular season slashing .321/.360/.407 with six extra-base hits and nine RBIs. Over 29 games and 81 at-bats prior to the postseason, the freshman backstop was one of the toughest to set down on strikes as she's done so just five times, tied for the third fewest in the E8. Behind the plate, Little tossed out six of 13 runners attempting to steal and contributed to six clutch pick-offs on the basepaths. She had only allowed two passed balls and finished 10th in the league with a .971 fielding percentage.
 
Infield Ingenuity: Second baseman Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) and third baseman Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) were all named to the All-Empire 8 Third Team last season. Paul captured her second career All-E8 honor after hitting .289 with six doubles, three home runs and 16 RBIs over 27 games in the regular season. Barbato was named an All-Empire 8 honoree for the first time in her career after slashing .239/.320/.284 with one home run, 13 runs scored and nine RBIs. Commanding the hot corner, she only committed five errors while recording 17 putouts.
 
Three Days Ace: Pitchers Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester), Maddie Habernig, Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) and Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) return to the circle for the Pioneers this season. Murray made 15 starts for the Pioneers last season, posting a 3.43 ERA with a record of 9-5. Murray tossed six complete games last season, with two saves, striking out 53 batters, and only giving up four home runs last season. Gargiulo posted a 3.44 ERA with three wins and a loss with two complete games. Facing 79 batters, Gargiulo posted double digit strikeouts and allowed the lowest batting average to opposing hitters last season. Habernig appeared in 15 games last season, notching a 2.26 ERA with two saves. In 21 innings pitched, Habernig also recorded double digit strikeouts last season.  
 
Ready to Make an Impact: There will be six new faces joining the roster, all of them being freshmen. Head Coach Rinae Olsen will look to Caroline Porter (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango), Cassidi Mushenski (Hadley, MA/Hopkins Academy), Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey), Alexis Scott (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks), Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), and Lily Mazur (Rome, NY/Westmoreland) to make an impact this season. Porter, a pitcher, was a four time All-CNY First Team selection, as well garnering three time Pitcher of the Year nods throughout her highschool career. Mushenski, a utility player, notched an all-league nod last season, and was named to the All-Western Mass team in 2023. Lehane, a pitcher/outfielder, garnered an all-conference selection in 2023. Scott, a utility player, notched herself a first and second team all-conference selection in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Paul, an outfielder, was a three-time first team all star throughout her high school career. 

Florida Slate: The team begins the season on March 9 with a double header against Wheaton College at 9am and Widener University at 11:15am. On Monday, March 10 the team will take on DeSales University at 9am followed by Loras College at 11:15am. Tuesday, March 11, the team will take on North Park University at 1:30pm followed by Penn State Berks at 4pm. Following an off day, the team returns to action on Thursday, March 13 to take on St. Catherine University at 9am followed by Otterbein University at 11:30am. The trip concludes with a doubleheader against Saint Mary's College and Lasell University on Friday, March 14.
 
Up Next: The team will return home to open the home campaign with a doubleheader against RPI. First pitch from Greenman Softball Field on March 22 is set for 1pm.