Softball to Start Season in the Sunshine State

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – With temperatures still frigid in the Northeast, the University of Bridgeport's softball team will begin its 2024 season with a trip to Florida. The Purple Knights will play 14 games in the Sunshine State, beginning with a doubleheader at nationally ranked University of Tampa.

THE SCHEDULE
A tough start awaits UB as they visit third-ranked Tampa to open their spring break trip on Feb. 24. The Purple Knights will also play a doubleheader at No. 20 Saint Leo just three days later.

Following the excursion down south, Bridgeport will play its CACC opener on March 16 at Wilmington. They will then make their home debut on March 19 against Dominican.

The Purple Knights' non-conference slate is highlighted by doubleheaders at Pace (March 24) and Adelphi (April 11) and home doubleheaders versus STAC (April 8) and Bentley (April 24).

All four of those teams made it to the NCAA Division II East Regional last season.

LAST SEASON
The Purple Knights posted 30 wins for a second straight season in 2023. They ultimately came up just short of a second straight NCAA berth following a loss to Wilmington in the CACC semifinals.

UB was seeded fourth in the CACC Tournament after going 16-8 in the conference.

Following the regular season, sophomore Mya Jones was named the CACC Rookie of the Year while Samantha Schiebe (First Team) and Hailey Kim (Second Team) were also honored with All-Conference nods.

Jones was named first-team All-Region by the NFCA as well after leading UB in batting average (.439), home runs (seven) and RBIs (52). Jones slugged an impressive .671 and finished the year with a .488 on-base percentage.

While Jones led Bridgeport in most categories, it was junior Madison D'Amato who tallied team highs in both runs scored (45) and walks (32).  

THE ROSTER
The Purple Knights have 13 returners from a year ago, including a total of 10 upperclassmen. That experience will be crucial in assisting UB's newcomers of four freshmen and two transfers.  

Amongst the experience is senior Kaite Burawski, who will be back in the circle after missing all last year. Arguably the greatest pitcher in school history, Burawski was named the ECC's Pitcher of the Year in both 2021 and 2022.

Burawski's sensational numbers as a junior included leading the ECC in wins (25-8 record), saves (3), complete games (24), shutouts (10), innings pitched (218.1), strikeouts (354), and earned run average (1.80) while tossing four no-hitters.

CACC PRESEASON POLL
The Purple Knights were voted to finish second in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) according to the preseason coaches poll released in late January.

COACH STEARNS
Head coach Dawn Stearns is back for her 15th season at the helm of the UB softball program. Stearns has led the Purple Knights to outstanding success over the last four years, having won a total of 122 games with three conference championships and three NCAA appearances. 

FOLLOW ALONG
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