Softball Season Preview

By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University softball team put together an impressive finish to the regular season in 2025.

The Bears won nine of the final 11 games on their schedule after opening the season with a 10-15 record.

With 13 returning players, including four who made the All-Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference team, BSU has reason for optimism heading into the 2026 season.

"We did lose some key players, but we have great experience back," said coach Angela Vecchione. "We have some beneficial leadership.

"It is a different team, a new year, and they are focused on getting the job done. There are a lot of returning players, but the vibes are different. We are confident in the players we have on this roster."

BSU will start the season at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Little River, S.C., playing 11 games in seven days.

The opener is Saturday at 3 p.m. against the University of Pikeville from Kentucky.

Returning to the Bears' lineup are second-team All-MASCAC selections Angelina Lynch (Taunton, Mass.), a senior outfielder, junior third baseman Sydney Schaefer (Swarthmore, Pa.), junior pitcher Olivia Hargreaves (Weare, N.H.) and junior catcher Sidney Schwartz (Chelmsford, Mass.).

BSU, which lost to Salem State in the opening round of the conference tournament last spring, has three pitchers back as well as the entire outfield.

The Bears are picked to finish fifth in the MASCAC, according to the presesaon coaches poll.

The pitching staff includes Hargreaves, who was 7-6 with a 3.66 earned run average and 74 strikeouts in 74 innings, plus senior Olyvia Mendonca (Taunton, Mass.), who started seven games and was used in relief six times, and junior Lily Gagnon (East Haven, Conn.), who started four of the 11 games she pitched.

"You continue to watch (Hargreaves) grow and mature with her game at this level," said Vecchione. "She's been working hard. I think she can continue to progress.

"(Mendonca) is a senior with great leadership, a seasoned veteran who has pitched in big games. She takes great pride in doing her job. (Gagnon) battled through injury last year but when she hit her stride, she pitched phenomenal."

They will be joined by junior Lily Gioiosa (Dartmouth, Mass.) and freshman Trinity Andelin (Wilmette, Ill.) who will add depth.

The returners in the outfield include junior Makayla Ansell (Menifee, Calif.) in left, Lynch in center and senior Victoria Becker (Abington, Mass.) in right.

Lynch started all 37 games a year ago and hit a team-best .376 with 41 hits, including 11 doubles and three homers while driving in 20 runs.

Ansell batted .366 with 45 hits, getting nine doubles, five triple and a pair of homers while driving in 20 runs and Becker batted .296 with 29 hits.

"It's a strong outfield," said Vecchione. "When they're out there, they have fun. They are very solid defensively and consistent offensively."

The infield will include Schaefer back at third base after hitting .317 with 33 hits, including 17 doubles and three homers with 32 RBI.

Freshman Aubrey Carberry (Dartmouth, Mass.) will be at shortstop with sophomore Sarah Silvia (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and junior Savanah Dubois (New Bedford, Mass.) at second and sophomore Isabel Bishop (Lynn, Mass.) at first.

Schwartz is back as the catcher and will be joined by senior Emily Eastman (Cranston, R.I.), who was sidelined last season after starting 13 games in 2024.

"It's going to be a good year for her," said Vecchione of Eastman. "She's worked hard to get back."

There are several options as the designated player, including senior Ella Staffier (Marshfield, Mass.), a transfer from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Staffier was fourth in the MASCAC last season with a .448 average and had two homers, 27 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

"We are deep and we have options," said Vecchione, whose team went 8-6 in the MASCAC last season. "We have a lot of players who are ready for their roles."