Softball Heads to Florida to Start 2026 Campaign

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – With winter still holding the Northeast in its grasp, the University of Bridgeport's softball team will look to swap snow for sunshine this weekend as they head to Melbourne, Fla. to kick off the 2026 season. The Purple Knights will open a 48-game campaign, including 18 home contests at Seaside Park.

THE 2026 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The Purple Knights begin the 2026 campaign with a 14-game spring break swing in Melbourne, Fla., highlighted by 12 out-of-region matchups along with contests against NE10 opponents Bentley and SNHU.

Following their return from Florida, UB will play 16 additional non-conference games, beginning with their home opener on March 14 against AIC.

The remainder of the non-league slate features home doubleheaders versus Adelphi (March 16), Franklin Pierce (March 24), Saint Anselm (April 7) and STAC (April 8), as well as road trips to Assumption (March 19), Molloy (March 26) and Mercy (March 31).

THE CACC SLATE
The Purple Knights will open conference play on March 21 with a road doubleheader at Holy Family, marking the first of nine CACC twin bills on the 2026 schedule.

Bridgeport's home conference slate features matchups against Goldey-Beacom (March 28), Caldwell (April 15), Chestnut Hill (April 18) and Dominican (April 29).

UB has been especially tough to beat in league play at home, dropping just three CACC contests inside their home park over the past two seasons.

THE 2025 RECAP
The Purple Knights secured the CACC's regular-season championship last year, losing just three conference contests en route to an impressive 19–3 league record.

UB parlayed that success into its second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and fourth appearance since 2020, closing out the campaign with a strong 33-16 overall mark.

Offensively, the Purple Knights hit .306 as a team and paced the conference with 26 home runs. Defensively, UB committed just 38 errors—13 fewer than any other CACC program.

In the circle, Bridgeport's pitching staff set the standard across the league, leading the CACC with a 2.38 team ERA while surrendering the fewest hits of any conference opponent.

THE RETURNERS
The 2026 roster is anchored by 13 returning players, providing a strong veteran foundation for the Purple Knights.

At the forefront is three-time CACC All-Conference honoree and former Rookie of the Year Mya Jones, who enters her final campaign boasting a sensational .409 career batting average with 134 RBIs in more than 400 at-bats.

Fellow All-Conference standout Sydnee Perreault is also back after a .313 season at the plate, during which she led the nation in sacrifice bunts per game.

In addition, McKenzie Morgan, Samantha Ledger, Paityn Thibodeaux and Breanna Pelaez return after each appearing in more than 40 games last spring, adding experience and depth across the lineup.

THE NEWCOMERS
UB Softball added nine newcomers to its roster this fall, including seven freshmen and two juniors, bolstering an already experienced group.

The junior pair of Nathalie Mongrain and Georgia Burr arrive after spending the past two seasons at Monroe University in New Rochelle, bringing valuable collegiate experience to the Purple Knights.

UB's freshman class includes Genna D'Amato, who continues a family connection to the program. She is the sister of former Purple Knight great Madison D'Amato, who graduated last year after compiling 244 career hits and 194 runs scored across a remarkable 202 games played.

THE HEAD COACH
Leading the Purple Knights once again is reigning CACC Coach of the Year, Dawn Stearns, who enters her 17th season at the helm in Bridgeport.

The program's all-time winningest coach with 331 career victories, Stearns has guided UB to four NCAA Tournament appearances over the past five seasons, continuing to elevate the Purple Knights on the national stage.

THE QUOTES

Dawn Stearns - Head Coach, 17^th Season
"2026 begins anew with some young but very talented players. Losing key players to graduation this past year only builds excitement and determination within, and we will see just how gritty this young group can be. I love the energy and strong chemistry this class has. Bridgeport Softball will continue to be a strong, well-oiled machine whose goal once again is to vie for that CACC title and get to NCAAs once again. GO UB!!"

McKenzie Morgan – Junior Catcher
"This group has grown so much, and we have built a great foundation with our core group and the new players. We know there's unfinished business in the CACC and I'm excited to see everything we've worked for come together in 2026. This is going to be a season to watch!"

Mya Jones – Senior Third Baseman
"We have a lot of new talent and people stepping into different positions, and I think that's going to push us. I'm excited to see how it all comes together and what we can accomplish in 2026."

THE PRESEASON POLL
The Purple Knights were picked second in the CACC's preseason coaches poll released in late January. Wilmington, last year's CACC Tournament champion, was selected as the league favorite.

FOLLOW ALONG
For everything related to the UB softball program, follow them on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, visit www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), Twitter (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).