2024 Softball Season Preview
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University softball team is set to begin the 2024 season this Friday in the Battle at the Bay Tournament hosted by Hampton University, and Norfolk St. Head Coach Bianka Bell will start her tenure as the leader of the Bryant Bulldogs.
Infielders
The Bulldogs have five infielders returning this season: Aleix Hudson, Megan Marcel, Faith Valenzuela, and Alyssa Garabedian. Hudson led the team in batting average (.333) and hits (39) and was tied for the team lead in doubles with ten last season, making the All-America East Second and Academic team. Marcel brings the power, hitting five home runs and driving in a team-leading 30 RBIs. Valenzuela played 26 games last season, recording a .943 fielding percentage. Garabedian played 28 games. Alexis Larrow- (transfer from Furman University) and Sam Rohwer (FR.) will begin their first season with the Black and Gold. Larrow is a hot bat who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Rohwer has a high softball IQ, as she moved from SS to 3B within a few practices.
Outfielders
Bryant will have six outfielders this season, with four returning to the team. Olyvia Smith and Olivia Fee bring experience to the outfield. Smith is playing her second season with the Bulldogs after transferring last season. Smith played in 34 games, stealing eight bases and recording her 100th hit vs. UMBC. Fee played in 32 games last season and had a career-best 15 hits and a .283 batting average. Amira Rainer and Ashley Kaiser return for a combined 29 games of experience from 2023. Ginny Gex and Makenna Coleman will begin their first year as freshmen. Coleman has a ton of range and can play any position in the outfield. Gex brings a big bat and will make an immediate impact at the plate.
Utility Players
Alexis Clancy and Hannah Cochran will return this season. Cochran played in 38 games last year, tying for the team lead in doubles while producing four multi-hit games. Clancy appeared on the mound and the field, playing 19 games. Laniya Lewis begins her first season with the Bulldogs as a freshman. Lewis brings versatility to the team with speed and strength.
Catchers
Gracie Bishop, McKenzie McAloon, and Allison Tessman will be the leaders behind the plate this season. Bishop and McAloon combined for 57 games last year. Bishop had a career day against Brown, going 4-4 and hitting her first career home run. McAloon tied her career-high in hits (9) and doubles (2) while throwing out five runners. Tessman appeared in a career-high five games, posting her first hit against Hartford.
Pitchers
Kylie Kenney, Brooke Tracy, Caroline Paolantonio, Lexi Powell, and Grace McKillop will take the mound for the Bulldogs in 2024. Kenney started 21 games and was named to the America East All-Academic team. Kenney pitched ten complete games and became the second player in DI program history at Bryant to have 20+ career wins and 200+ strikeouts. She produced four games of 10+ ks, surpassing another DI Bryant record of 16 strikeouts versus Manhattan. Tracy appeared in 21 games, pitching 56 innings and striking out 38. Paolantonio started a career-high 12 games and had a career-best in strikeouts with 17. Powell appeared in 17 games, making seven starts. McKillop, who begins her first season with the Bulldogs, is very competitive and commands the zone on the mound.