The University of Rhode Island softball team will open its season on Friday and is looking to take a step forward this year, with lots of returning players and new additions to the roster.
Rhody is led by Mike Coutts in his second year as head coach. In Coutts’ first year, the team went 14-35 overall. Coutts has a reputation for rebuilding programs. He took the University of Maine to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 12 years. He also racked up 29 wins in his final season with the Colorado School of Mines before heading to Kingston, which was the most in seven years for the program.
This year’s Rhode Island team is headlined by four captains: fourth-years Kylie Bulinski, Ashley Hibbard, Casey Miller and third-year Riley Frickleton.
Bulinski has consistently been in the lineup since her freshman year. Bulinski was the only player to start all 49 games last season for URI. She also set the single-season program record for walks with 37 last season, and her .390 career on-base percentage is seventh all-time in program history.
Frickleton and Miller have been utility infielders for the Rams, bouncing between first and second base, allowing for flexibility in the lineup.
Hibbard has been a key part of the Rams’ rotation inside the circle. She appeared in 34 games in her sophomore season and made 15 starts, posting a 3.11 ERA. Battling through an injury last season, she only made 19 appearances, but is back fully healthy for 2026.
Other key pieces in the Rhody rotation are third-year Avery Vale-Cruz and second-year Brooke Geary. Geary led the team in appearances last season as a true freshman, and Vale-Cruz led the team in wins and finished last year with a 3.11 ERA.
“[Vale-Cruz, Hibbard and Geary] will probably at least start the season getting the bulk of the innings,” Coutts said.
Rhode Island will have a multitude of relievers this season as well. Third-year Sarah Trosin is going to have a bigger role this year as a reliever, according to Coutts. Fourth-year Lauren Wasikowski, third-year Ashley Arnold and first-year Olivia Kuhnel are also relief options for the Rams.
On the offensive side of the ball, Bulinski will be the leading force for URI, but there are other strong bats in the lineup. Second-year Katie Knarr, who was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team last year, had the second-most hits ever by a freshman in program history with 47.
Second-year Julianne Torres started 45 games last year as a true freshman and will be a big piece in the lineup. Another piece that URI will have back this year is second-year Giuliana Ialongo. Ialongo was expected to get significant playing time throughout last year, but she only appeared in six games due to a season-ending injury.
Despite getting multiple important pieces back from injury, URI was picked to finish eighth in the A-10 preseason poll, only ahead of St. Bonaventure University.
“You never know what can happen,” Bulinski said. “We could be ranked last, but we can finish first. I would say we all use that as motivation, because we have nothing to lose at the end of the day, but everything to gain.”
While winning games is important, Coutts is also trying to build the program up and create a culture by doing things the right way.
“We can’t become better players until we become better people,” Coutts said. “Our kids are working on themselves to become better people so that they can be better teammates, so you want to go practice and you want to work hard.”
Rhode Island will look to start its season on a high note with the Lion Invitational beginning on Friday. The Rams will face off against Marist University, East Texas A&M University, Grambling State University, Jackson State University and Missouri State University.
