Bryant softball opens season over weekend at Spartan Invitational

SPARTAN INVITATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off a record-setting 2014 season that included the program's first Northeast Conference Championship, the Bryant University softball team is set to defend its title in 2015 when it opens the regular season at the Spartan Invitational in Spartanburg, S.C., over the weekend.

In her first season at the helm, head coach Shayne Lotito led the Bulldogs to a Division I record-setting 32 win season en route to the program's first-ever NEC Regular Season and Tournament Titles. The Black and Gold also made their first appearance as a DI institution at the NCAA Regionals facing off with #7 Oklahoma and Hofstra in Norman, Okla., this past May.

However, the Bulldogs are a very different team than the one it had so much success with a season ago with the departure of seven seniors, including three All-NEC selections. Despite that, Bryant does return a wealth of talent in 2015, mixed with the addition of eight newcomers, to set the bar extremely high for the upcoming season.

"We are excited to see what this team can do on the field," said Lotito. "They have really come together as a family these last couple of weeks and made significant strides to position themselves to compete for another championship."

At the core of the Bulldog roster this spring is reigning NEC Player of the Year Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), who put together a historic sophomore campaign. In 2014, Madsen led the team in batting average (.346), homeruns (13), RBI (41), ERA (3.25), wins (25), and stirkeouts (151), dominating opponents from both inside the pitching circle and at the plate.

Also returning in 2015 is senior centerfielder Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.), who had herself an equally impressive 2014 season, hitting in the three hole and anchoring the stalwart Bulldog outfield en route to her second All-NEC First Team nod. Rounding out Bryant's All-NEC returners is junior infielder Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) who hit .291 with five homeruns and 16 RBI while handling third base duties in her first season in Smithfield.

Juniors Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.) and Mollie Anderson (East Greenwich, R.I.), senior Jessica Benacquista (Belleville, N.J.) and sophomores Haylee Haas (Moorpark, Calif.) and Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) will add some much needed depth for the Bulldogs.

In addition to the returners, the Black and Gold welcome a strong group of newcomers who are poised to make an immediate impact on the field this season. In the circle, freshman pitchers Logan Paul (Shaker Heights, Ohio) and Brandi Burgin (Santa Clarita, Calif.) will add another dimension to the Bryant pitching staff, showcasing poise and mental toughness on the bump.

Along the infield, freshmen shortstop Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.) and catcher Cassie Mejia (Tucson, Ariz.) will look to fill a pair of huge holes in the Bulldog lineup with their hard-working mentality and aggressive play on the diamond. And at the dish, sophomore Mallory Harrigan (Albany, N.Y.) will look to use her big bat to make her mark in the middle of the Bryant lineup.

"Thus far, we are very pleased with how hard the team has been working," added Lotito. "And based on that, we are confident we will find a lot of success this season."

The Black and Gold take their first step toward defending their NEC Crown when they open the regular season at the Spartan Invitational in Spartanburg, S.C., on Friday at 3 p.m. vs. University of Maryland Eastern Shore.