Softball | 3/5/2025 9:52:36 AM
ROCHESTER, NY - St. John Fisher University will look to earn its third straight Empire 8 Championship, as 12 teams will battle for the 2025 league title. SUNY Brockport, SUNY Geneseo, Hartwick College and SUNY Poly begin their first season as Empire 8 members this spring.
The upcoming season is set to get underway in late February and early March with league play beginning on March 29. Eight teams will advance to the Empire 8 Tournament, which will take place first with the fifth-place team hosting the eighth-place team and sixth-place team hosting the seventh-place team in play-in contests on May 6, followed by a double-ellmination six-team tournament at the home of the regular season champion and top-seed from May 8-10. The Empire 8 Champion will receive an automatic berth into the 2025 NCAA Division III Softball Championship.
Fans can watch the action all season long, free of charge on the
Empire 8 Network.
Players to Watch
Trinity Critelli, SUNY Poly, Gr., P, Frankfort, NY/Frankfort-Schuyler - Critelli a three-time NAC West Division first team All-Conference selection (2022, 2023 and 2024), was named NAC Co-Pitcher of the Year in 2024. She holds both the SUNY Poly single season (215) and career (539) strikeout record.
Hailey Jasinski, Keuka, So., SS/C, Buffalo, NY/North Collins - In her debut season, Jasinski earned All-Empire 8 second team honors after hitting .389 with 28 RBI, nine stole bases and .466 on-base percentage.
Rachel Little, Utica, So., C/INF, South Burbank, CA/John Burroughs - Little earned All-Empire 8 second team honors as well as a spot on the E8 All-Tournament team in 2024. She held a batting average of .323 with 16 RBI and a .364 on-base percentage.
Leah Madore, Russell Sage, Sr. P, Williamsville, NY/Battleboro Union - Madore had an impressive sophomore season in 2024. She earned All-Empire 8 second team honors while also landing on the E8 All-Tournament team in the postseason. She totaled 154 strikeouts with a 3.66 earned run average.
Emily McManus, St. John Fisher, So., OF, Rochester, NY/Gates-Chili - McManus had a historic first season for the Cardinals in 2024. She led the team in batting average (.414), OPS (1.369), runs scored (42), home runs (13), and RBI (40). She earned All-Empire 8 first team hononrs and was named to the E8 All-Tournament team. Nationally, she earned NFCA All-Region third team accolades.
Danielle Nelson, Houghton, Jr., INF, Smethport, PA/Smethport Area - Nelson recorded a .304 batting average with 25 runs and 23 RBI. She earned a spot on the All-Empire 8 third team in 2024.
Brianna Ramstine, Elmira, Sr., OF, Chenango Forks, NY/Broome CC - Ramstine returns after earning a spot on the All-Empire 8 third team in the 2024 season. Ramstine led the Soaring Eagles in batting average (.363), runs (23), OBP (.411) and slugging percentage (.593). She also tallied 18 RBI and 15 stolen bases.
Kaitlyn Schmitz, SUNY Geneseo, Sr., P, Eden, NY/Eden - Schmitz earned All-SUNYAC first team honors in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she started 18 games in the circle with 71 strikeouts with a 2.99 earned run average. At the plate, she had a .381 batting average with 14 RBI.
Olivia Simone, SUNY Brockport, Sr., C/OF, Whiteboro, NY/Whitesboro - In her debut season, Simone registered a .321 batting average in 36 games started wth 17 RBI, 18 runs, and a .369 on-base percentage.
Maddy Spakoski, Nazareth, Jr., OF, Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder - Spakoski, a two-time Empire 8 Player to Watch, earned All-E8 second team honors in 2024. She finished the season with a .346 batting average, 18 RBI, 16 runs scored and a .358 on-base percentage.
Ashlee Stevens, Hartwick, So., P, Knox, NY/Berne-Knox-Westerloo - Stevens is the first Hawk Player to Watch after an 18-year absence of softball at Hartwick. Stevens is expected to lead the way in the circle as the Hawks compete for the first time in the Empire 8.
Samantha Vidal, Alfred, So., SS, West Palm Beach, FL/Forest Hill - Vidal earned 2024 All-Empire 8 third team honors, finishing her first season as a Saxon with a .380 batting average while starting all 41 games. She tallied 37 runs scored and a .393 OBP.
Team Capsules (Sorted by 2024 Standings)
St. John Fisher
St. John Fisher will look to win its third straight Empire 8 Champinoship and ninth overall in 2025 after finishing 35-7 overall and 14-0 in E8 play last season. Senior Maddie Donlin, the 2024 Empire 8 Plauer of the Year and NFCA All-Region second team selection, returns after hitting .436 with a .496 on-base percentage. Sophomore Emily McManus, a 2024 All-E8 first team pick, led the team in batting average (.414), OPS (1.369), runs scored (42), home runs (13), and RBI (40). She was also a 2024 E8 All-Tournament team selection and garnered NFCA All-Region third team plaudits. The Cardinals also bring back a strong duo in the circle, 2024 E8 Pitcher of the Year Cassidy Ormond and classmate Ainsley Evanetski. Ormond went 17-2 in 23 games and finished with a 1.81 ERA. She led the conference with a miniscule .185 opposing batting average, striking out 101 batters. Evanetski was 15-5 with 125 strikeouts in 115 innings, 2.25 ERA and fired 12 complete games. Catcher Mari Spitz and shortstop Amalia DeMartino were also All-E8 first team picks and NFCA All-Region second team selections in 2024. Spitz, a three-time first team all-conference catcher, was named 2024 Empire 8 tournament Most Valuable Player. DeMartino recorded a .520 on-base percentage and 1.020 OPS for the Cardinals in 2024.
Alfred
The Saxons look to get back to the Empire 8 Championship round in 2025 after winning back-to-back league titles in 2021 and 2022. The Saxons went 27-14 overall in 2024 and 12-2 in conference play, earning the second seed in the tournament. Despite the loss of the 2024 Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Year in Mya Wells and All-E8 first team pitcher Megan Bennett, Alfred has plenty of emerging talent ready to shine. Sophomore Samantha Vidal will look to lead the Saxons after a third team all-conference season. She finished with a .380 batting average while starting all 41 games. The 2023 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, Jessica Remm is a top returner for the Saxons. She earned All-E8 third team honors in the outfield last season and has 105 hits, 27 doubles and 78 RBI in two seasons with the Saxons. Abigail Gatza and Meghan Neto, 2024 All-E8 first team picks are key returners, along with second team selection Paris Guzman and sophomore pitcher Kendall Steward. Neto enters her fourth season at Alfred with 108 hits, 10 homers and 76 RBI, while Gatza has a 1.029 OPS with nine homers and 63 RBI in two seasons. Newcomers Ally Boulger, Loretta Sorochty and Molly Whitmyer will look to crack a deep Saxons lineup in 2025.
Utica
After a trip to the 2024 Empire 8 Championship Game, the Pioneers look to continue their success in the 2025 sesaon. Nine seniors wil lead the way, as the Pioneers will look to replace the 2024 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and NFCA All-American in Jennifer Rodriguez in addition to three-time All-E8 first team selection Emily Joss. Sophomore Rachel Little is an exciting top returner for the Pioneers. She had a stellar debut season, earning All-E8 second team honors at catcher. She also earned a spot on the Empire 8 All-Tournament team. Seniors Abigail Sacks and Kylie Murray will also be key returners. Murray earned all-E8 third team honors in 2024 with a 3.43 ERA and 53 strikeouts. Sacks, a 2022 All-E8 second team pick, will also be counted on to lead the way. Senior Lauren Paul is back after tying for the team lead with four home runs in 2024. Newcomers Meghan Paul, Caroline Porter and Emily Lehane are exciting additions for head coach Rinae Olsen.
Russell Sage
The Gators earned their fourth straight Empire 8 postseason berth in 2024 and return eight starters from last season. including senior pitcher Leah Madore, senior outfielder Maddy Ring, sophomore infielder Annalise Tyler and junior catcher/outfielder Emma Heartquist. Madore was an All-Empire 8 second team selection and landed on the E8 All-Tournament team. She totaled 154 strikeouts on the mound with a 3.66 earned-run average. Ring, an All-E8 third team pick, is currently ranked fourth in career stolen bases at Russell Sage with 43. Tyler, a 2024 All-E8 second team selection, finished her debut season with 40 hits, while batting .354 to go along with 17 RBI. Heartquist led the Gators with a .371 batting average last season while also adding 12 RBI and 21 runs scored. The Gators gain two transfers from Division II Saint Rose in junior infielder Hannah Smith and junior pitcher Bailey Catlin in addition to exciting newcomers Jade Maille, Alina Ferguson and Annie Reilly.
Keuka
Keuka will look to earn its second consecutive playoff berth in 2025. Sophomore Hailey Jasinski is an exciting returner for the Wolves. In her debut season, Jasinski earned All-Empire 8 second team honors after hitting .389 wihr 28 RBI, nine stolen bases and a .466 on-base percentage. Sophomore Olivia Flynn and junior Emily Cutrona wll also be top returners. Cutrona started all 35 games last season and had a career-high 16 stolen bases. Flynn won six games in the circle for the Wovles while recording 40 strikeouts with a 3.32 ERA. At the plate, she had a .362 batting average and drove in 25 runs with a .517 slugging percentage. Newcomers Kaylin Ritenour and Abbie DeRock will look to earn immediate playing time for the Wolves.
Elmira
Elmira looks to get to the Empire 8 tournament in 2025 after advancing to the E8 Tournament in 2023. Elmira returns eight players in 2025, including Brianna Ramstine, who earned a spot on the All-Empire 8 third team in 2024. Ramstine led the Soaring Eagles in batting average (.363), runs (23), OBP (.411) and slugging percentage (.593). She also tallied 18 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Sophomore Jocelyn Jean is also returning after earning 2024 All-E8 third team honors, batting .304 with 28 hits and 21 runs scored. Seniors Katie Distefano and Maryann Sobel will also be counted on as top returners. Sobel, a two-time All-E8 pick, went 6-4 in the circle in 2024. Distefano, a first baseman, oearned All-E8 third team honors in 2024 with a .352 batting average, 32 hits and 16 RBI. Newcomers Kristen Cole, Rachel Lunger and Genevieve Geiser will look to earn playing time in 2025.
Houghton
With new Head Coach Olivia Kincanon at the helm, the Highlanders are excited to start their 2025 campaign. E8 Player to Watch Danielle Nelson, an All-E8 third team pick in 2024, returns as the Highlander's top hitter. She held a .304 batting average with 25 runs and 23 RBI. Returning pitchers Kareena Ulfig and Olivia Carr are expected to be bright spots in the circle. Ulfig finished her debut season posting a 4.85 earned run average with 32 strikeouts while Carr led the teamwith five wins and finished her season with 57 total strikeouts. The Highlanders return eight student-athletes in total and with newcomer Sarah MacArthur, leading a strong group of new additions to the roster.
Nazareth
Nazareth will look to return to the Empire 8 Tournament in 2025. With one year under her belt at Nazareth, head coach Margaret Yerdon-Grange will have the Golden Flyers in contention to earn an E8 postseason berth this season. Junior Maddy Spakoski is a two-time Empire 8 Player to Watch. She earned All-E8 second team honors in 2024 and finished the season with a .346 batting average, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored. Sophomore Morgan Russo, the 2024 All-E8 third team catcher, had a .392 batting average overall and hit at .440 in conference play. She led the Golden Flyers with 40 hits, broke a single-season program record with 16 doubles and added four home runs with 21 RBI. Sophomores Haleigh Suitor and Avery Zembek are exciting returners as well for the Golden Flyers, Zembek struck out 71 batters on the mound, while Suitor posted a .327 batting average with 36 hits, 13 extra base hits, including four home runs and 22 RBI to go along with a .545 slugging percentage.
SUNY Brockport
SUNY Brockport is excited to get underway in the Empire 8 under second-year head coach Mary Kate Wheat. Player to watch Olivia Simone registered a .321 batting average in 36 games started with 17 RBI, 18 runs and .359 OBP last season. Senior Kellie Gentile and junior Riley Barrett will also be key returners. Barrett had her best season last year, posting a .329 batting average with 23 hits and 10 runs scored. Gentile also had a stellar season in 2024 with a batting average of .368, 72 hits, nine doubles, 44 runs scored and 25 RBI. The Golden Eagles return seven starters from 2024 and have a strong group of newcomers ready to earn playing time.
SUNY Geneseo
SUNY Geneseo will make their debut in the Empire 8 in the 2025 season. Head Coach Dave Sylvester enters his 13th season at Geneseo with 248 wins, 10 shy of becoming the all-time leader in program history. The Knights won 21 games and advanced to the SUNYAC Tournament in 2024 and will attempt to make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in the last eight seasons. E8 Player to Watch Kaitlyn Schmitz earned All-SUNYAC first team honors in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she started 18 games in the circle with 71 strikeouts with a 2.99 ERA. At the plate, she had a .381 batting average with 14 RBI. Junior infielder Brooke Fraas and sophomore third baseman Ray Schumacher will also be counted on to lead the Knights. Fraas hit .304 while driving in 26 rus on 35 hits. She scored 32 runs herself while earning a .352 on-base percentage. Schumacher earned All-SUNYAC first team honors during her debut season, hitting .358 with eight doubles and four home runs. Schumacher led the team in RBI on the season with 39, good enough for third best in the league. She also posted a .952 OPS. Sylvester is excited for newcomers Claire Kubiak, Katie Kuneth, Molly Griffin, Kaitlyn Magerle and Sierra VanDerwarker to contribute to the 2025 squad.
Hartwick
After an 18-year absence, Hartwick College softball returns! The 2025 season will be their debut in the Empire 8. The Hawks competed as a club team last spring and look to make an immediate impact. E8 Player to Watch Ashlee Stevens is expected to be a leader in the circle for the Hawks. First-year student-athletes Autumn Millington, Anna Klein and Sierra Phillips are all expected to be top contributors. Head Coach Brittany Stroop previously served in the same role at Eastern University and at SUNY Morrisville. She was the 2015 Freedom Conference Coach of the Year at Eastern
SUNY Poly
SUNY Poly will play their first season in the Empire 8 in 2025 under head coach Juleah Wanner. In 2024, the Wildcats finished as the runners up in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), posting a 26-10 overall record. Graduate student Trinity Critelli and senior Kimberly Birmingham will look to lead the Wildcats in 2025. Critelli earned NAC West Division first team All-Conference honors in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and was named NAC Co-Pitcher of the Year in 2024. She holds both the Poly single season (215) and career (539) strikeout record. Birmingham, also an All-NAC first team pick in 2024, led the NAC with an incredible .560 batting average, 51 hits 16 doubles, 45 RBI and 38 runs scored. Seniors Alivia Turk and Jadyn Childers as well as junior Ava Faragon are top returners as well. Faragon was ann All-NAC second team selection in 2024 while Turk was the 2023 NAC Rookie of the Year as well as a two-time All-NAC pick. Newcomers Annabella Mondello and Sheli Hagues are expected to make an immediate impact in 2025.
Final 2024 Empire 8 Softball Standings
St. John Fisher (35-7, 14-0 Empire 8) - League Champions
Alfred (27-14, 12-2 E8)
Utica (22-15, 8-6 E8)
Russell Sage (13-24, 6-8 E8)
Keuka (13-21, 6-8 E8)
Elmira (15-19, 5-9 E8)
Houghton (11-23-1, 3-11 E8)
Nazareth (4-30, 2-12 E8)
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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