First pitch one week away for Mustang softball

SUNY Morrisville softball is just one week away from the program’s opening day for the 2024 season, throwing out the first pitch in nearly two years as they take the field in Myrtle Beach against Umass Boston on Tuesday, March 12.

Morrisville returns to the diamond after a year absence in 2023, looks to establish the tone this season under guidance of head coach Chris Comino.

The Mustangs return just one player from the program two years ago in senior Sophie Keehle (Conklin, N.Y.) who is expected to contribute both offensively and defensively after holding down the short stop position in 2022. Keehle had a .259 average at the plate in 36 starts, recording 22 hits and 24 runs to go along with 15 RBI’S.

With 16 new faces in the Mustang lineup this season, Comino anticipates their hard work will pay off as they stare down the start of the season next week.

“This is a great group that continues to work hard every day,” he said. “We are a young squad with only one player who has played more than one year of college softball,”

“Despite that, though, we are a talented group with the hunger to prove and show everyone that Morrisville Softball is back.”

Some of those new faces that will done the Mustang jersey this season include Callie Lafontaine (Chaumont, N.Y.), a transfer who saw significant time for Cazenovia College last season. Comino expects her to be a big contributor for Morrisville out of the gates.

Morrisville will also see new faces to the mound this year, including Piper Kaylor (Montgomery, N.Y.).

“Piper has all the talent to be a top player in the league as a strong hitter, and will certainly have a significant impact on defense,” Comino said.

“Alongside Piper’s ability at the plate, we expect Jessica Budd to contribute as well. Jessica has a strong bat and a talented swing that should help make our lineup a tough one to deal with.”

Budd, a Fairport, N.Y. native, will see time for the Mustangs both behind the plate and in the infield.

Sara Brefka (East Syracuse, N.Y.) and Celeste Baldwin (Bainbridge, N.Y.) are also talented freshmen who Comino mentioned as eager to contribute immediately.

“Sara and Celeste are two talented newcomers that will be a big part of this program right away, each from their respective positions within our system.”

“Our non-conference schedule will feature a mix of teams that will test us and prepare us for our conference slate that opens in April,” Comino said.

Morrisville will get underway with that non-conference lineup starting with Tuesday’s battle in the south against Umass-boston at 9 a.m. The afternoon will see the Mustangs take the field for a second time as they play Notre Dame of Maryland University in the nightcap.

The Mustangs will take the field four more times in Myrtle Beach, March 13th facing Haskell Indian Nations University and Kenyon College, before taking on the University of Maine, Presque Isle on the 14th, finishing with Keystone that evening.

Morrisville will stop to take on former United East opponent Lancaster Bible on the 16th for a non-conference double-header, with anticipation of opening their home slate on March 25th as they host Potsdam.

Non-conference bouts against Elmira College on the 26th and Utica University on the 29th will lead Morrisville into a final non-conference tune-up against Clarks Summit University on April 2 before league action kicks in.

Morrisville will meet Delhi for a three-game stance on April 5th and 6th in Morrisville to open the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) schedule, before heading to Alfred State on the 10th.

The Mustangs will head to Northern Vermont University — Johnson for a three-game series on April 12th and 13th, before turning home to face Keuka College in a non-conference double-header on the 16th.

Canton will come to town on the 19th & 20th to wrap up the home stance for Morrisville.

A three-game series at SUNY Poly on the 26th and 27th will carry the Mustangs into their final weekend action of the regular season as they head to Cobleskill to for three.

“We have a strong conference schedule ahead of us as we face off against some talented programs with great players and great coaches,” Comino said.

“But we’re eager to get started and look forward to what the season brings.”

Morrisville was picked fourth in the preseason poll, as voted by coaches, for the NAC.

A full schedule and roster are available on the college’s athletics website.