The CT Softball Blog

NEW HAVEN—Last Spring, the Yale softball team surprised some people in the Ivy League by winning a share of the conference championship.

This year, Coach Laura Ricciardone feels the Bulldogs are starting off from an even higher place, even if Yale was selected to finish third in the Ivy League’s preseason coaches poll.

“If last season’s team was able to win a share of the regular season title, then this year’s team is starting from a far higher place,” Ricciardone said. “To be super frank, I think that last year’s team was able to take advantage of a lot of parity within the league and make a lot of strides.”

This year, the Bulldogs have more pieces of the puzzle and Ricciardone is excited to see what her team can do this spring.

“In terms of firepower, athleticism, depth, what this year’s team is working with is a very different situation going into the spring,” she said. “So, I’m really looking forward to being able to play with some additional puzzle pieces and kudos to the team. They’ve worked really, really hard, too: In the weight room, on the field, everything like that. They’re stronger, faster, more powerful than we’ve ever been at this point.”

When you look at last year’s Ivy League stats, you wonder how Yale could have won a share of the title.

Both the team’s batting average (.269) and team ERA (4.62) were in the middle of the pack in the conference.

The Bulldogs, however, found a way to win, going 20-26 overall but 14-7 in the league, sharing the title with Princeton and Harvard.

This season, though, Ricciardone expects her pitching staff to be one of the Bulldogs’ strengths.

Emma Taylor (11-10, 3.25 ERA), a junior, is Yale’s ace after throwing 159.1 innings last year in 32 games. But the Bulldogs are deeper, too.

“Pitching’s a strength of ours,” Ricciardone said. “Emma Taylor, who’s incredible, what she did for us in terms of number of innings she threw last year. I expect her to hopefully, not  throw quite as much, but she certainly is capable of throwing just as much with success. But we added three freshman pitchers, so all we did was basically double the size of our pitching staff.”

Senior Hannah Turner returns as does classmate Maddie Latta and sophomore Meredith Henderson. Caitlin LaFerney, Sierra Reynolds and Grace Westmoreland are first-years bringing depth.

“We’ve got a combination of pitchers that you’ll see play different roles, too,” Ricciardone said. “I think it’s a tremendous strength for us going into the spring. I’m a coach that recruits athletic versatile pitchers, so you’ll see some of those pitchers in other positions, too.”

Yale features one of the top players in the league in outfielder Sophie Woodridge. The senior from New York hit .380 last season, blasting six home runs while posting 29 RBIs—second on the team.

Also returning to the outfield is senior captain SJ Mull and Katie Donahey (.268, 2 HR, 15 RBIs).

Behind the plate, seniors Alex Perren and Mady Smith both return as does junior Mariah Niday, who has yet to play for Yale due to past injuries.

Elena Ohe (Fairfield Ludlowe) is Yale’s lone Connecticut player who is rostered and she will be the team’s starting second baseman.

Next to her at shortstop is junior Libby Peoples (.291, 3 HR, 18 RBI).

Lauren Perren, a senior, can play either corner spot while Taylor will also see time at third base.

Junior Ava Kang and sophomores Kaitlyn Oikle and Isabella Fortini are utility players who could see time in either the infield or outfielder this season.

Other first-years for the Bulldogs are catcher Natalie Dominguez and outfielders Ella Gandolfo and Ella Cross.

“I think the class as a whole is a winning, experienced group of humans that immediately make us more dynamic,” Ricciardone said. “I’m looking forward to getting them their first weekend of college softball play.”

Repeating an Ivy League championship is the goal for the Bulldogs.

“I wasn’t surprised that we were able to take a share last year. I thought we had a chance, but I think that we really maximized some of the abilities that we have,” Ricciardone said. “I think this year’s squad is coming to the table with a much higher level of ability and firepower.”

In other words, nobody in the Ivy League will be surprised if Yale finishes on top.

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