Softball to Play 14 Games in Florida to Begin 2025

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – As spring break gets set to start on campus, the University of Bridgeport's softball team will begin its season with a 14-game trip to Florida. The Purple Knights' campaign will officially commence on Friday with a doubleheader against Davenport University at the Space Coast Complex in Melbourne, Fla.

THE FLORIDA TRIP
Bridgeport is set to start its season in the Sunshine State for the second straight year and third time over the last four seasons. The Purple Knights will play a total of 14 non-conference contests across nine days.

With most action being seen at the Space Coast Complex; Bridgeport will also play a true road doubleheader at Rollins College on March 5.

UB's 11 opponents over spring break hail from seven different states. The Purple Knights will play squads from Michigan, West Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Bridgeport will play a pair of familiar NE10 squads in the form of Assumption on March 4 and SNHU on March 7.

THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
The Purple Knights will return home to a massive CACC matchup against Wilmington on March 15. UB will meet the Wildcats to start a 22-game conference schedule.

In addition to Wilmington, Bridgeport will host conference doubleheaders against Bloomfield (March 19), Post (March 25), Felician (April 2), Holy Family (April 5) and Jefferson (April 22).

UB's non-conference slate after Florida is home heavy with Adelphi (April 10), Franklin Pierce (April 14), Molloy (April 17), STAC (April 19), and New Haven (April 23) all visiting Seaside Park in April.

The Purple Knights, meanwhile, will go on the road for doubleheaders against SCSU on March 13 and Bentley on March 27.

Bridgeport will celebrate Senior Day on April 19^th during their doubleheader against STAC.

Following the regular season, the 2025 CACC Championship is scheduled to take place from April 26 – May 3. Bridgeport will host the final-four portion of the tournament on May 1-3.

LAST SEASON
The Purple Knights made the NCAA Tournament for the third time over their last four seasons in 2024. They finished with an overall record of 27-23 (17-5, CACC) to signify the program's seventh straight 20-win campaign.

Bridgeport's year also featured a run to the CACC Tournament championship game where they were set to face Wilmington before weather cancelled the final contest. The Wildcats, as the top seed, were given the CACC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

THE RETURNERS
The Purple Knights return 13 players from a season ago—10 of which are upperclassmen.

UB's experience also consists of three players that earned both CACC All-Conference honors and D2CCA All-Region accolades in 2024.

Kaite Burawski, who is set to cap off arguably the greatest career in school history, will once again get the ball to begin 2025. The two-time ECC Pitcher of the Year and three-time All-Conference first teamer posted a 2.67 ERA last spring across 28 appearances and 175.2 innings pitched. She finished second in the CACC in strikeouts (221) while piling up 23 complete games. Burawski begins the year with 814 career strikeouts across 541.2 innings.

Angela Oros, meanwhile, led the Purple Knights in almost every offensive category last year. The Arizona native ranked first on the squad in batting average (.363), slugging percentage (.568), RBIs (38), hits (53), doubles (13), and home runs (5).

Mya Jones rounds out UB's all-conference returners after batting .352 across 36 games with 32 RBIs, five doubles and four home runs. She also registered a .403 on-base percentage (2^nd on team) and a .514 slugging percentage. Jones was named the CACC's Rookie of the Year in 2023.  

Bridgeport's team captains in 2025 are Jones, Madison D'Amato and Isabella Benjamin.  

THE NEWCOMERS
Nine freshmen have joined the UB softball program in 2024-25. The newest Purple Knights hail from five different states, including California, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

UB's latest rookie class features three outfielders, three pitchers, two infielders and a utility player.

COACH STEARNS
Head coach Dawn Stearns, who is back for her 16th season at the helm of UB Softball, is just two wins shy of 300 for her career. Amongst a terrific tenure, Stearns' squads have been especially accomplished in recent seasons with 149 total wins since 2019.  

In addition to the victories, the Purple Knights have captured three conference titles and four NCAA appearances over their last five full campaigns.

Stearns' career at UB also features being named the 2021 ECC Co-Coach of the Year.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING (Quotes)

Dawn Stearns – Head Coach, 16^th Year

"I believe this is our year. We have a solid base from last year returning to lead the newcomers to the next level. Winning the CACC championship is the first goal as last year left a bitter taste for us all. I like the way this new team has gelled and come together for a common goal—to play at a high level and bring home the Conference title, which will be hosted at UB this year. It's going to be a fun ride!"

Madison D'Amato – Senior Captain

"It's going to be an exciting year for us. It's our turn to come out on top with all the new skills we are bringing to the table."

Ray Ramelli - Assistant Coach

"Even though we have lost five starters, I think we have players ready to step in and contribute without us skipping a beat. We have a great blend of leadership and new people."

Steph Dean – Assistant Coach

"I am extremely excited for this season; We have a good mix of strong veteran players and a few new returning players that I expect to have a large impact season. We have unfinished business with the CACC championship ending the way it did last year. The girls are ready to fight!"

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).