First-year head coach Bridget Hurlman looks to revive a program that finished 3-41 in the 2015 season, beginning this Friday when Rhode Island starts their season at the Lafayette Ford Lincoln of Fayetteville Showcase in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Rhode Island is set to bring back a large majority of returnees, a total of seven starters, and two pitchers that were relied heavily on, will be back on the field for the Rams. Of the Rams returning four of which were named captains by Hurlman; seniors Caitlin Kennedy and Olivia Hendricks (second-year captains) and juniors Jenna Cubello and Danielle Gariglio.
Shortstop Cubello and fellow junior teammate, infielder/catcher Ali Summers return as key figures to the Rhode Island offense this spring. Last spring Cubello batted .312, leading the team in runs (24), doubles (9), triples (3), home runs (5) and slugging percentage (.587). Summers was an Atlantic 10 Second Team All-Conference selection in 2015, leading the team in on-base percentage at .448, while batting .347.
“All 23 players, including those returning, have bought in to the staff’s expectations and vision for a championship culture and program,” Hurlman said in an interview with GoRhody.com
Hurlman has already been making changes for her 2016 opening lineup by switching players to positions they did not play as often last season. Sophomore Kylie Shivery and senior Lauren Klepchick are swapping positions, moving to first and third base, respectively. Summers will also receive time at third when she is not catching. She is expected to be starting behind the plate, but the position has depth with sophomore Madi Housel, and freshmen Kelly Licul and Nikki Wild all looking for time in the rotation.
Gariglio returns as the two-year centerfield starter along with junior Marylynn Muldowney in left field and senior Emily Hendricks (Olivia’s twin sister) in right. Another lineup adjustment by Hurlman includes placing Muldowney in the outfield to utilize her speed moving from second base to left field.
Besides the addition of Hurlman to the coaching staff, Rhode Island also brought along first-year Coach Brooke Boening to help improve the program’s pitching.
“We are all extremely excited to welcome Brooke into our Ram softball family,” Hurlman said. “Brooke showed great passion for growing our pitching staff, and genuine excitement toward helping all of our young women become champions both on and off the field.”
The 2016 Rhode Island pitching staff will consist of senior captain Caitlin Kennedy, who made 77 appearances and 52 starts during her last three seasons for the Rams. Junior Andrea Chiaradio, who made 15 starts in 25 appearances during her first season for Rhode Island in 2015. Two freshmen round out the rotation in Becca Rogers and Julia Waraksy.
The Rams will look to improve the program starting Friday, with games against Lafayette and Delaware State. Rhode Island will play five games this weekend, facing UNC Wilmington and Delaware State Saturday, and one game against Lafayette on Sunday.