Softball preview: Senior leadership has Bearcats primed for another big season

Heading into the 2018 season, Binghamton has established itself as a championship-caliber softball program.

After winning the America East title in 2015, the Bearcats have captured the conference’s regular-season crown in each of the past two years. In the current America East preseason poll, the Bearcats have been picked to once again finish first.

This year’s squad combines a mixture of both experience and youth and has the potential to continue Binghamton’s run of success.

“We are looking forward to competing,” head coach Michelle Johnston said. “Our players have been really focused and driven during practices and we are excited to see how that translates over to our competitions.

Senior leadership is a major asset on this year’s squad. In 2017, all five of current seniors were in the starting lineup and three were named first-team all-conference for the second year in a row.

“Our senior class has turned into a great group of leaders both on and off the field,” Johnston said. “I think their leadership has been a big reason for the drive and energy that this team as a whole.”

At the other end of the spectrum, the Bearcats have seven freshmen on the 2018 roster. A number of them could earn a starting role this year.

“Our freshmen class made an easy transition into the program and at Binghamton,” Johnston said. “They work hard and have brought great energy to the team.”

Outfielders

Senior Jessica Rutherford returns for the final season of her prolific career as the center fielder. After being named the 2015 America East Rookie of the Year, she has been named first-team all-conference the past two seasons. In addition, Rutherford was a first-team NFCA All-Region pick in 2016 and a third-team choice last year. Furthermore, she was also an ECAC All-Star as both a sophomore and junior.

“Jessica is obviously a great leader for us in the outfield,” Johnston said. “She plays fearless out there and is fun to watch. Outfielders get in trouble when they are tentative or timid and you will never see that with Jess. She is all-out every play. She brings the same kind of presence to our lineup and on the bases.”

In left field, fellow senior Carrie Maniccia is the returning starter while in right field freshman Lauren Martinez and sophomore Stephanie Ragusa are at the top of the depth chart.

“We expect that seniors Jessica and Carrie will start in center field and left field respectively,” Johnston said. “Lauren and Stephanie have both been working in right field and have different strengths both in the outfield and in the lineup. So, we expect them both to be contributing depending on what our needs our offensively. (Sophomore) Amanda Ricci will provide additional depth in the outfield position.”

Infielders

Binghamton’s other three seniors all started in the infield last season. Kate Richard (third base) and Stephanie Bielec (second base) have held down their starting positions since their freshman year while Jill Bovitt took over the first base position last year.

“Our three seniors bring great experience and leadership to the infield group,” Johnston said. “I love the way our infielders work together and our seniors have really helped our younger players develop in their positions.”

Richard is a two-time first-team all-conference selection and last year, she joined Rutherford as an ECAC All-Star. With 21 home runs and 84 RBI the past two seasons, Richard’s presence in the middle of the lineup will again be a huge asset. As a junior, she ranked No. 25 in the nation with a .788 slugging percentage. Richard’s leadership has been essential to the team’s success.

“Kate is more of a quiet leader,” Johnston said. “She is super passionate about playing but she finds a way to keep the game pretty simple and helps our team stay relaxed and loose.”

Like Richard, Bielec has also been named first-team all-conference in each of the past two seasons. Bielec’s batting average has improved each year and she hit a career-high .331 in her junior campaign.

“Stephanie is more of our vocal leader and has great awareness of the game,” Johnston said. “Her instincts at second base are impressive and she has worked extremely hard on her offensive game which is why you have continued to see her improve year to year.”

Bovitt was a pinch runner in 2015 and 2016 before starting in all 47 games last year.

“Jill has been working back at shortstop this year and has improved significantly on offense,” Johnston said. “She is a true utility player and can play anywhere on defense.”

Binghamton’s other returning starter in the infield is sophomore catcher Sara Herskowitz, who was named to the America East All-Rookie Team in 2017. Backing up Herskowitz at catcher are freshman Hannah Lyons and sophomore Madison O’Connor.

“Sara is stronger and quicker than she was last year, and we are seeing the benefits on the field,” Johnston said. “She will be expected to start behind the plate with both Madison and Hannah giving us depth in that position.”

Freshman Alex Guay is likely to start at first base or in a designated player position. Freshman Madison Germano and sophomores Kassidy Seary and Jaclyn DeLuca are capable of playing first base or being used in designated-player or pinch-hit roles.

Freshman Makayla Alvarez will most play shortstop but can also fill in at third base or the outfield. Fellow freshman Sarah Benn is also on the depth chart at the two middle infield positions.

Pitching

Sophomores Rayn Gibson and Rozlyn Price were thrusted into the starting lineup last year. The Bearcats had lost their top two starters from the 2016 squad but the freshman duo grew quickly. Both were named to the America East All-Rookie Team and Gibson also was chosen second-team all-conference.

This year, freshman Chelsea Howard will add a different to look to the staff as a lefthanded pitcher. Junior Makenzie Goluba, who was chosen All-Rookie in 2016, will be used in relief situations.

“We have been pleased with how our pitchers have developed as a staff and believe pitching will be one of our strengths this year,” Johnston said. “Rozlyn and Rayn have improved significantly from last year and believe you will see more consistency out of them this year. Chelsea is a lefty that will bring a different look to the staff and will be used in both starting and relief roles. Makenzie will be someone we will look to in relief and have been really excited about how her pitches and consistency have improved throughout this fall and pre-season. It will be important that our pitchers provide good leadership on the mound this year and stay healthy throughout the season.”