The CT Softball Blog

Three Connecticut-based college softball teams have made their respective NCAA tournaments, which start on Thursday on fields throughout the country.

Big East champion UConn is headed to Texas A&M for the Division 1 opening rounds games; the University of Bridgeport is bound for Adelphi University in the Division 2 ranks; and Albertus Magnus won the GNAC championship and is bound for Worcester, Mass., for the Division 3 tournament.

Here’s a look at all three teams, and the CT Players who play for them, before tournament play starts:

Division I

UCONN HUSKIES

2026 Record: 31-26

Conference: 18-6, won BIG EAST Conference Championship Tournament

Opening Round Opponent: Texas A&M, Friday, 2 p.m. (ESPN2)

Other Teams In Regional: Arizona State, McNeese State

Key Players: Cat Petteys (.397, 16 D, 19 HR, 58 RBIs); Savannah Ring (.342, 4 HR, 32 RBIs); Kaitlin Breslin (.305, 11 D, 11 HR, 56 RBIs); Jessica Walter, Grad., P (8-8, 3.31 ERA, 72 Ks, 24 Walks); Caprice Bohmer (13-9, 3.92, 132 Ks, 79 walks).

CT Players: Alex Bacher (Ridgefield/St. Luke’s), Grace Carrington (Woodbridge/Amity).

Outlook: Before conference play truly started, the Huskies were 4-15 to open the season so they are absolutely playing their best ball of the spring as they head into the NCAA Tournament. Granted, having Texas A&M, Arizona State and McNeese State in the same bracket seems like a bit of a punishment. Still, the two-time defending BIG EAST Champs are headed to Texas to shine on a big stage and the Huskies have proven themselves to have some players who shine the brightest in said spotlight. The Huskies are the No. 4 seed and will open against No. 1 Texas A&M.

Division 2

UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT PURPLE KNIGHTS

2026 Record: 33-18

Conference: 13-5, CACC Tournament Champs

Opening Round Opponent: Adelphi University, Thursday, noon

Other Teams In Regional: St. Thomas Aquinas, Southern New Hampshire

Key Players: Mya Jones (.435, 10 D, 6 HR, 35 RBI; Paityn Thibodeaux (.367, 14 D, 8 HR, 36 RBI; Sydnee Perreault (.312, 12 D, 11 HR, 46 RBI); Vise Zarate (19-8, 2.70, 85 Ks, 36 walks); Samantha Ledger (13-4, 3.25, 57 Ks, 80 Walks).

CT Players: Siena Lucas (Seymour/Oxford HS), Melanie Martin (Waterford), Hailey Smith (Bozrah/Norwich Free Academy), Grace DuBrava (Salem/East Lyme), Maerin Lyon (Groton/Fitch), Alyssa Castillo (Monroe/Masuk).

Outlook: It’s a tried and tested UB team, which lost its top pitcher from a year ago, and had a year to remember, winning the conference tournament to get the automatic bid instead of waiting for an at-large invitation. Pitching has been a strength for the Knights with Zarate and Ledger leading the way, but Ledger will have to cut back on her walks because at tournament time giving up free passes can and will come back to haunt you. Despite the great season, UB wasn’t rewarded in the seeding department, having been given a No. 7 seed in their region so they will have to take on regional power Adelphi in the opening round on Thursday.

Division 3

ALBERTUS MAGNUS FALCONS

2026 Record: 27-18

Conference:14-4 (Won GNAC Tournament)

Opening Round Opponent: Worcester Polytechnical Institute, Thursday, 11 a.m.

Other Teams In Regional: UMass-Dartmouth, Stockton

Key Players: Annabelle Jabs (15-9, 1.99 ERA; 139 Ks, 51 walks), Karla Garangelo (.367, 12 D, 4 T, 7 HR, 51 RBI), Reilly Austin (.355, 11 D, 2 HR, 35 RBI), Amelia Ovalles (.328, 11 D, 2 T, 3 HR, 34 RBIs), Izzy Barreiro (.345, 11 D, 1 HR, 21 RBI

CT Players: Amelia Boulli (Torrington), Karla Carangelo (Cheshire), Isabelle Smith (Meridan/Maloney), Gina Solow (Fairfield/Fairfield Ludlowe), Annabelle Jabs (East Hartland/Northwestern Regional), Gianna Caranno (West Haven), Hailey Summers (Putnam), Izzy Barreiro (Brookfield), Gabby Rubino (Southington), Kylie Testone (Seymour), Llyanna Griffth-Waite (West Haven), Megan Cross (North Haven), Tessa D’Aquila (Old Saybrook/Ethel Walker), Kaitlyn Scribner (Quaker Hill/St. Bernard).

Outlook: Albertus Magnus has qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The Falcons do have a bonafide ace in Jabs, who has done a yeoman’s amount of work this season in the circle. Head coach Lou Buonoss, who just was named GNAC Coach of the Year, can also turn to Garangelo or Ovalles if he needs to as the staff is deep. Albertus Magnus can hit the ball and they can hit it far. The Falcons have a .311 team batting average and have hit 85 doubles, 12 triples and 17 home runs this season. Only four opponents have gone yard against Magnus pitchers. A tough-opening round contest against WPI starts things, but a win over the tough tourney hosts could Magnus the confidence to move on. The Falcons have won seven of their last nine games.

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