2017 Softball Preview: Bulldogs will operate 2017 with seasoned infield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Three freshman will join the ranks of the veteran Bryant University softball infield, headed by two-time captain, junior Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.).

Last year, Monroe was a force in the hole for the Bulldogs, racking up 86 putouts and a team-high 113 assists. The junior helped the Bulldogs turn four double plays, while recording a .961 fielding percentage at shortstop.

Sophomore Kaleigh Goulart (Marion, Mass.) also returns to the infield, after appearing in 42 games in her rookie campaign. The New England native totaled 68 putouts, averaging a .966 fielding percentage. Classmate Jessica Gradillas (Nogales, Ariz.) returns after primarily playing third base last season. Gradillas made 41 starts in the Bryant infield, accumulating 52 putouts and 79 assists, while finishing her debut season with a .923 fielding percentage.

Junior Gianna Pizzano (Saugus, Mass.) rounds out the veteran group, listed as the only utility player, having started primarily at third base in her career in Smithfield. Last season, she started eight games behind home plate, seven in the infield and two in the outfield, totaling 53 putouts, 11 assists and a .970 fielding percentage.

"With three of our starting four infield players returning, we are looking at a strong, aggressive group overall," said head coach Shayne Lotito. "They have helped our freshman jump right into our aggressive approach and worked to help them be the best that they can be."

Freshman Marianna Politis (Arcadia, Calif.), Brady Tillotson (Pipersville, Pa.) and Nicole Zukowski (Medford, N.Y.) debut in Bryant's infield this season. Politis came to Smithfield from Notre Dame High School in Arcadia, Calif., where she was a four-year varsity starter. In 2014, Politis aided her team in the Mission League Championship at the shortstop position and was named Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and sophomore.

Tillotson played third base at Central Bucks High School East in Pipersville, Pa., where she helped her team become Co-Continental Conference Champions as a senior. As a senior at Patchogue-Medford High School, Zukowski was an All-County honoree, the League 1 Player of the Year and Lager School Player of the Year.

"This fearless group continues to push each other to make sure that no matter who is on the field we will be successful," said Lotito. "I am extremely excited to see what this versatile group will be able to do this year."

The Bulldogs will debut on Friday, Feb. 17, against Fordham at the ECU Pirate Clash in Greenville, N.C.