Brockport, NY – The SUNY Brockport softball team is ready to start is season on Saturday for the first day of the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic down in Florida. Brockport takes on Rockford at 9 am and Kenyon at 1 pm on Saturday to start the year.
 
2021 Recap: Brockport finished the shortened 2021 season 7-9 overall and in SUNYAC play. The team battled for a split in seven of the eight regular season matchups, just missing out on the postseason. The Golden Eagles had four All-SUNYAC Selections in 2021. Amanda Blakely and Madison Evarts were both First-Team selections for the first time in their careers. Catherine Johnson and Olivia Hayden each earned Second-Team honors.
 
Cusic Classic: The Golden Eagles will get the year started down in Florida this upcoming weekend at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. They will play 12 games down south over the next week, with contests being held at the Lee County Sports Complex and the North Collier Sports Complex. The squad will matchup against Rockford, Kenyon, Pitt-Bradford, Alfred State, Skidmore, Wilmington, University of Maine Presque Isle, Western Connecticut State, University of Wisconsin-Superior, SUNY Canton, and Central College. See down below for Brockport's full schedule down in Florida.
 
All-Conference Returners: Brockport is returning all four All-SUNYAC selections from the 2021 season. Madison Evarts earned First-Team All-SUNYAC, leading the team with a .400 batting average. Joining her as a First-Team selection was teammate Amanda Blakely. She batted .309 and led the team with 10 RBIs. Olivia Hayden took Second-Team honors tying for first in the conference with 10 stolen bases. She also led the team with 21 hits and 14 runs scored. Second-Team All-SUNYAC pitcher Catherine Johnson was third in the conference with 48 strikeouts. She was fifth in the SUNYAC with a 2.33 ERA and went 5-3 in eight starts.
 
Back on the Field: Emily Willis-Nersinger, Emma DeJesus, and Cameryn Duggan are all back with the Golden Eagles after hitting above .300 last season. Jenna Downey started all 16 games for the squad in 2021, batting .275 with eight RBIs. Annie Dipirro had eight RBIs as well last year in just 19 at bats. Molly Ryan led the team with two home runs even though she only got to play four games last season.
 
The Pitching Staff: Julia Palopoli returns for another season in the Green and Gold after starting three of her seven games in the circle. She finished with a 2-3 record, a 3.05 ERA, and held opposing batters to a .267 average. Megan Van Dorn is also back after making two starts for the team during her junior campaign.
 
New Faces: Brockport is welcoming in seven new additions to the team this season. Hailey Burdick and Madison Ross are both juniors who will put the Green and Gold on for the first time this spring. The incoming freshman class includes Jackie DuTot, Hali Jenner, Amanda O'Connor, Kellie Gentile, and Fiona Gibiser. Keep an eye out for which new face will make an impact this season.
 
Dumaw Chasing 500: Entering his 24^th season guiding the program, Head Coach John Dumaw is closing in on an incredible milestone for his career. With 480 wins here at Brockport, he is just 20 away from surpassing 500 wins. With over two decades of experience, Dumaw is among the top-40 winningest, active coaches in all of NCAA Division III Softball.
 
Up Next: Once the Golden Eagles head back north after the trip to Florida, they prepare for their home opener on Wednesday, March 30^th. They will play Nazareth for a non-conference double-head, starting at 3 pm.
 
 
Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic Schedule
March 12^th – Brockport vs Rockford – 9 am
March 12^th – Brockport vs Kenyon – 11 am
March 13^th – Brockport vs Pitt-Bradford – 9 am
March 13^th – Brockport vs Alfred St. – 1 pm
March 14^th – Brockport vs Skidmore – 9 am
March 14^th – Brockport vs Wilmington – 11 am
March 15^th – Brockport vs UMPI – 1 pm
March 15^th – Brockport vs Western Conn St. – 3 pm
March 16^th – Brockport vs Alfred St. – 9 am
March 16^th – Brockport vs Wisconsin-Superior – 11 am
March 17^th – Brockport vs Canton – 9 am
March 17^th – Brockport vs Central – 11 am
*see schedule on gobrockport.com for live stats/video*