The Binghamton softball team heads into the 2024 season with a veteran team that has racked up several individual and team accomplishments in the past year. Seven of last year's eight starting position players return as well as four of the five pitchers. From that collective group, six of them earned all-conference honors in 2023. Having posted a 29-18 record last year, Binghamton is geared towards continuing its winning ways.
 
"We are really excited to finally see this group hit the field," head coach Jess Bump said. "Right from the start of the school year, they have been training extremely hard but also putting in a lot of effort in becoming one unit and understanding that our chemistry off the field will directly impact our performance on the field. We have a good mix of veteran leaders, emerging returners and newcomers who will immediately make an impact for us. Our depth in every position is by far the best it has been in a very long time which has made practice a very competitive environment. We will be using everyone's individual strengths to put us in the best position to come out on top every day."
 
The 29 wins in 2023 tied for the fourth-best victory total in program history. Binghamton earned the No. 2 seed as well as a first-round bye in the America East Tournament but were eliminated after their first two games. That ending motivated the Bearcats heading into this season.
 
"Our program took a step in the right direction last year but obviously our season did not end the way we wanted it to as we weren't playing our best softball when it mattered most," Bump said. "I could see from the very start of the school year that this group is using last year's ending as motivation to continue to develop as individuals and as a unit."
 
PITCHERS
 
Sophomore Brianna Roberts is the top returning starter after a standout freshman campaign. She went 11-3, posted a pair of saves and was named the America East Rookie of the Year. She was also chosen second-team all-conference. At the international level, Roberts has represented Puerto Rico at multiple tournaments, including the 2023 Pan Am Games.
 
Senior Allison L'Amoreaux is a versatile player, who has made her mark both on the mound and at first base. She went 4-3 last season and was named the America East Pitcher of the Week on March 7. At first base, L'Amoureaux hit .329 and was named second-team all-conference. This season, she is in line to be in both a starting and relief role as a pitcher.
 
Freshman Delaney Glover is also projected to appear in both a starting and relief role on the mound. Hailing from Hurdle Mills, N.C., she was named first-team all-state as a senior. Glover led Person High School to appearances in the state tournament in both 2022 and 2023.
 
In relief roles are redshirt sophomore Lindsey Walter and sophomore Olivia Kennedy. Walter led the Bearcat staff with a 2.49 ERA last year, compiled a 6-4 record and nailed down a pair of saves. Kennedy, meanwhile, transferred from Caldwell University, where she was named first-team all-conference (CACC) after posting a 9-4 record with a 1.49 ERA.
 
Redshirting this season is sophomore Kendal Leitner.
 
"Our pitching staff will be an integral part to our programs success this year," Bump said. "They all have working extremely hard and it has been great to see the connection and trust that they all have in one another. They exude confidence as a group, and give the rest of our team a calming feeling playing behind them. With some good leadership and experience back, along with two newcomers who will make an impact right away, this staff can keep us in any ball game.
 
INFIELD
 
Binghamton is deep in the infield, with three returning all-conference selections and four starters.
 
At first base, L'Amoreaux and graduate student Alex Musial platooned at that position last season. Freshman Elisa Allen arrives from Groton, N.Y., where she was named second-team all-state in 2023.
 
Binghamton lost two-time, first-team all-conference second baseman Alli Richmond to graduation but returns redshirt junior Gabby Guerrero. In a reserve/pinch hitting role last season, she hit .333, homered twice and drove in seven runs. Freshman Maddy Dodig arrives from Saugerties, N.Y. and sophomore Kaylin Curro appeared in 18 games last season, primarily as a pinch runner.
 
Sophomore Akira Kopec was the only Binghamton player to start in all 47 games last year. She was named second-team all-conference and was also chosen to the conference's All-Rookie Team. Fellow sophomore Rebecca Minnichbach was used as a pinch runner.
 
At third base, junior Brianna Santos and senior Shelby Carvalho are both proven starters. Santos was named first-team all-conference last year after hitting .361 and leading the America East with 39 RBI. Carvalho, meanwhile, has made 46 starts during her career. She homered twice last year and drove in nine runs. Two newcomers on the depth chart at third base are Glover and freshman Sami Levine, who arrives from Merrick, N.Y.
 
Senior Hailey Ehlers has been Binghamton's primary starting catcher since the midpoint of her freshman season. She drove in 17 runs in 2023. Allen is another option at catcher as is sophomore Emma Lawson, who hit .333 primarily as a pinch hitter last season and drove in 10 runs.
 
"Since the start of the fall, our infield made it a priority to continue to work on communication and knowing our defensive system like the back of their hand," Bump said. "With mostly returners in the infield, our flow and pulse has been impressive. Our range has improved, our softball IQ has improved, which has made a huge difference. Our athleticism and versatility are as good as it has been, and because of this, you will see some different defensive lineups based on our offensive strategy. We are hopeful all our preparation will result in an increase in our double play numbers as well as our fielding percentage."
 
OUTFIELD
 
The Bearcats are also deep in the outfield, with five veterans returning – four of whom have started at one point.
 
Graduate student Jill Fittry as well as juniors Laney Harbaugh and Sarah Rende were the three starters at the end of the season. Fittry played primarily in the flex position. Harbaugh was named second-team all-conference after hitting .331 with a team-best 20 stolen bases. Rende, meanwhile, hit three home runs last season and finished with 26 RBI and was named second-team all-conference in 2022.
 
Redshirt junior Lindsey Walter has also started in left field and at the plate, she had a breakthrough campaign in 2023. Walter was named both first-team all-conference and third-team all-region as the designated player after batting .414. She also stole 14 bases.
 
The top newcomer in the outfield is sophomore Bella Farina, who transferred from Houston. She appeared in 23 games last season for the Cougars.
 
Curro is also on the depth chart in the outfield as is L'Amoreaux.
 
"The outfield was really impressive this fall, and even more so this preseason," Bump said. "As a group, they are covering a lot of ground and our outfield assists will definitely increase this year with their work on their arm strength and overall game sense. They have all been working in multiple positions so they feel comfortable to hop in and play where needed in certain game situations. The look of our outfield may change game to game - depending on our opponents and our offensive strategy - but regardless of who is out there, we are confident in how they will perform as a group.
 
DESIGNATED PLAYER
 
Binghamton has multiple options at the designated player position – including Santos, Lawson, Allen and Glover.
 
"We have many options for DP this year, and we will be using a few different players depending on our defensive lineup and who is on the mound and in relief," Bump said. "Regardless who is inserted in this spot, we feel good about the what they will bring to the lineup."
 
SCHEDULE
 
The Bearcats' 2024 schedule begins with a trip to the Stetson/ Frank Griffin Classic Feb. 9-11. The 55-game regular-season slate includes five in-season tournaments and 11 dates at the Bearcats Sports Complex Softball Facility.
 
"We have put together a well-rounded schedule that we are excited to take on this year," Bump said. "Our five weekends prior to conference play will offer us the opportunity to grow as a team and prepare us for the always-competitive America East Conference. The America East should be a dog fight this year which will make every single weekend series very important."

The rest of the in-season tournaments Binghamton will take part in are the Winthrop Eagle Classic (Feb. 16-18), Gardner Webb's Spring of the Springs (March 1-3), James Madison's Weiler Orthodontics' Tournament (March 8-10) and the Penn State Softball Invitational (March 16-17).

America East play begins for Binghamton with a three-game series at Bryant (March 23-24). The following weekend, the Bearcats play their first games at home in a series against defending champion UMBC (March 29-30).

Other conference home series are against Maine (April 13-14), Bryant (April 27-28) and UMass Lowell (May 3-4). On the road, Binghamton also has America East series at UMass Lowell (April 6-7) and UAlbany (April 20-21).

Non-conference home doubleheaders for the Bearcats are against Massachusetts on April 4, St. Bonaventure on April 9 and Colgate on April 24. On the road, the Bearcats have doubleheaders at Le Moyne on March 26 and Bucknell on April 17.

This year's America East Tournament will be hosted by Maine. The double-elimination event is set for May 8-11.