After ending the 2024 season ninth in the MAAC, Quinnipiac softball sat in the same spot they have for 12-straight seasons — with a losing record.
The Bobcats ended the season 20-25 overall with subtle improvement from 2023, where they finished 17-25.
In the 2025 MAAC Coaches’ Preseason Poll, Quinnipiac is tied at No. 9 with conference newcomer Merrimack. Despite falling in the same spot as last year, this season’s ranking is arguably worse for the Bobcats, who are also behind Sacred Heart, another new contender in the MAAC. Additionally, Quinnipiac had no athletes make the preseason All-MAAC team.
Despite the poor MAAC predictions, Quinnipiac softball believes they have what it takes to turn around the program this season.
“This year we’re going to make a name for ourselves,” senior catcher and outfielder Amanda Engel said.
Breaking down the roster, Quinnipiac has 19 returning players.
“This senior class has been through everything with me,” head coach Hillary Smith wrote in a statement to The Chronicle.
Much of the senior class has played at Quinnipiac for several years and is determined to improve the program. Smith points to two of her star senior pitchers, Jaclyn Gonzalez and Sydney Horan, highlighting their dedication to the team.
“Sydney and Jackie have anchored our pitching staff year after year, and they’ve grown into leaders who set the tone every time they step into the circle,” Smith wrote.
Both athletes have played for Quinnipiac their entire collegiate careers, and have shared hopes of finally crossing the threshold to the MAAC Tournament.
“We definitely want to make the MAAC Tournament,” Gonzalez said. “Win it, yes, but also, start small, one day at a time.”
Quinnipiac has nine new additions to its roster going into the season as well, its largest incoming class in five years.
“With all the upperclassmen, we feel like it is monkey see monkey do for the underclassman,” Gonzalez said. “I feel like changing the culture and being like ‘I’m so excited for practice, let’s get this,’ makes our freshman and sophomores more excited to go to practice.”
One of Quinnipiac’s new additions, freshman outfielder Mia Rubirosa, has stood out to Smith in the offseason. A Connecticut native, Rubirosa attended West Haven High School, where she was a two-time Connecticut All-State Selection and four-time First Team All-SCC Selection.
“She’s the kind of player who elevates everyone around her,” Smith wrote. “She’s a tremendous softball player, but what sets her apart is her character- humble, poised, and relentless in her approach to every rep, every drill, every moment.”
The Bobcats have put in the time off-season, working to build a strong connection and chemistry between their new and returning players.
Smith, along with assistant coaches Mandie Perez and Sydney Senerchia have helped build this culture by hosting meetings with the team to discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
“We’ve been very good with like feedback and just communicating with each other,” Engel said.
Looking at the Bobcats’ schedule, they will play 50 games this season, competing against 27 different teams with 19 doubleheaders.
Quinnipiac will open the season stacked with invitationals, starting with the Roar City Invitational, followed by the Space U Invitational during February. Going into March, the Bobcats will also compete at the University of Delaware Tournament and the Mizzou Invitational.
The Bobcats will open MAAC play competing against teams including Iona, Rider, Niagara and Canisius. During the season, Quinnipiac will also compete in non conference games against Marist, Boston College and Holy Cross, opponents that will test Quinnipiac’s grit.
“We have the toughest schedule we’ve ever had, but that’s by design,” Smith wrote. “We’re stepping onto the biggest stages not just to compete, but to make a statement about who we are and what we stand for.”
Over the winter break, the team created a book club. Quinnipiac chose to read “The Habits of a Champion” by Dana Cavalea, which highlights 15 lessons about what it takes to become a champion.
“Sometimes we’ll just go off and we’ll have this whole conversation when someone will say something, and then they’ll just look around the room at someone and be like ‘You’re like that,’” Engel said. “It’s so uplifting and so motivational for our team.”
With the start of the season just days away, the Bobcats will look to capitalize on every opportunity and finally make a name for themselves.
The Bobcats open up their season on Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. where they face off against Tennessee State University in the Roar City Invitational.
