Brockport, NY – The SUNY Brockport softball team is set to open up the 2024 campaign this weekend down in Florida for the annual spring trip down south. The first game of the season for the Golden Eagles will be at 10am on Saturday, March 16^th against the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.

End of an Era: After 25 years, Coach John Dumaw will not be in the dugout with the Golden Eagles this season. He stepped down and retired from the head coaching position last summer. In 2023 the team finished with a record of 5-27 overall, giving Dumaw 498 wins for his lengthy career at Brockport.

Taking the Reigns: In the fall of 2023, it was announced that Mary Karen Wheat '06 was hired as the Head Coach of the SUNY Brockport softball program. Wheat spent the majority of the last academic year as an assistant coach at Bryant University where she assisted the head coach in all facets of the softball program with a primary emphasis on working with the pitchers. Prior to her time at Bryant, she spent three years as an assistant coach with the University of Rochester softball program where she was the primary coach for the infielders, hitters and pitchers.  In 2021 she was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Assistant Coach of the Year. She helped guide the Yellowjackets to two straight Liberty League Conference championships and the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Championships.

Follow Along in Florida: Throughout the team's trip down south, live stats and video will be available to keep up with the action. Check the SUNY Brockport Softball Schedule Page throughout the week to follow along with the Golden Eagles.

Florida Playing Schedule: Down in Clermont, FL the team is set to play 10 games during the next week to get the year started. Here is the full listing of dates/times/locations for the trip down south:
Saturday, March 16^th vs UW – River Falls at 10am, Legends Way Field 3
Saturday, March 16^th vs Susquehanna at 12:30pm, Legends Way Field 4
Sunday, March 17^th vs Keuka at 9am, Hancock Field 3
Sunday, March 17^th vs Old Westbury at 11:30am, Hancock Field 5
Tuesday, March 19^th vs Framingham St. at 11:15am, Hancock Field 1
Tuesday, March 19^th vs Knox at 1:30pm, Hancock Field 1
Wednesday, March 20^th vs Bowdoin at 9:15am, Legends Way Field 4
Wednesday, March 20^th vs UW – River Falls at 1:45pm, Legends Way Field 4
Thursday, March 21^st vs Smith at 9:15am, Legends Way Field 3
Thursday, March 21^st vs Lawrence at 11:30am, Legends Way Field 3

Returning to the Port: Brockport is bringing back 10 returners from last season's squad, with a healthy mix of seniors, juniors, and sophomores. The senior group for this year consists of Rose Stroh, Emma DeJesus, and Tori Angelo. Kellie Gentile, Jackie DuTot, and Fiona Gibiser make up the junior class. The returning sophomores include Riley Barrett, Erin Dougherty, Danielle Wenzek, and Caitlyn Dailey.

Fresh Faces: There are 12 new faces joining the Green and Gold for the 2024 campaign. A strong incoming freshman class includes Rachel Landon, Reagan Myers, Hadley Alguire, Kendall Phillips, Natalie Faas, Ciara Olivo, Paige Wentland, Cece Rappleyea, and Aurora Sabins. Brockport is also welcoming juniors Grace Talbut and Olivia Simone, as well as sophomore Aubrey Ennis.

At the Plate: Brockport is fortunate to have retained its top three batters from the 2023 season. As a freshman, Riley Barrett led the team with a .323 average and a .371 on base percentage. She connected for 21 hits in her first collegiate season and scored 13 runs. Kellie Gentile is also back, looking to build off of her team-best 30 hits in her sophomore year. Last year she batted .319, had 13 RBIs, 18 runs scored, and led the team with 15 stolen bases. Emma DeJesus is back for her senior season, coming off of 22 hits last year with a .310 batting average.

In the Circle: Three of the four Golden Eagle pitchers from last season are back to throw in 2024. Fiona Gibiser is set for her junior season, following 2023's collection of 15 complete games. Gibiser pitched a total of 108.0 innings, striking out 50 batters in 19 appearances. Rose Stroh is ready to step back in the circle after pitching in 15 games last year, including five complete games. She totaled 53.2 innings of work, 19 strikeouts, and one save last season. Tori Angelo is also returning after pitching in six games for the squad in the previous season. Throwing one complete game, she struck out six batters in 19.0 innings of action.

Home Opener: Brockport will be at neutral site or away contests for the early part of the season. The first home doubleheader of the new year is scheduled for the first weekend of April. It is currently set for Friday, April 5^th when Buffalo State comes to Brockport for the start of SUNYAC play. The doubleheader will begin at 3pm that Friday at the Clark V. Whited Complex.

Up Next: After the trip to Florida the Golden Eagles will return to the state of New York for some non-conference action. They head to Houghton University for a 3/5pm doubleheader on Tuesday, March 26^th.