NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Ball season is here, and the Yale softball team is ready to swing into action for 2026 in Tampa, Fla. The Bulldogs open a five-game slate at the University of South Florida, taking on the hosts as well as Boston College, Kansas, Indiana State, and DePaul in their first swings of the season.

Fonesca Memorial Tournament Central (USF) | 2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster

Back in Blue

• The Bulldogs return 14 members from the 2025 squad, led by seniors Emma Taylor, Libby Peoples, Ava Kang, and Mariah Niday.
• Four juniors round out the upperclassmen group, including Second Team All-Ivy selection Isabella Fortini, along with Elena Ohe, Kaitlyn Oikle, and Meredith Henderson.
• Also returning for their second year in New Haven are pitchers Caitlin LaFerney and Sienna Reynolds, outfielders Ella Gandolfo and Ella Cross, pitcher/infielder Grace Westmoreland, and catcher Natalie Dominguez.

2025 In Review

• The Bulldogs finished with a 19-27 overall record and a 7-14 record in Ivy League play.
• Isabella Fortini and SJ Mull were both named Second Team All-Ivy.
• Six games saw the Bulldogs post double-digit run totals.
• Fortini led the team in doubles (12) and walks (24). She was second on the team in batting average with a .325.
• Ella Gandolfo led the team in runs with 30 and on base percentage (.442). Gandolfo was also second on the team in stolen bases with 12.
• Emma Taylor tossed 122.1 innings in the circle with a team-high 68 strikeouts in 28 appearances.
• Caitlin LaFerney tossed 53.2 innings with 30 strikeouts and two complete games in 19 appearances.

Bulldog Beginnings
Joining the Bulldogs this fall are Ellie Joseph (Oregon City, Ore.), Lidia Palys (Lexington, Mass.), Demi Donahoe (Bentonville, Ark.), Jane Littleton (Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Ava Kainrath (Westfield, Ind.).

In the Polls
The Bulldogs were picked to finish sixth in the 2026 Ivy League Preseason Poll. Princeton was picked to finish first with 14 of a possible 16 first-place votes.

Taylor Takes the Helm
Yale will be guided this season by senior Emma Taylor, who was elected captain by her teammates this fall. The Haverford, Pa., native steps into the role after three seasons of steady production and leadership within the program.

Head Coach Laura Ricciardone said, "She commands the respect of everyone she crosses paths with because of who she is. For the last three years, she's been the prime example of work ethic, determination, and consistency in everything she does. She will continue to embody those same qualities as our captain, and Yale Softball is better for her leadership and example."

Coach's Corner
"I'm excited to get this team out on the field and try out some different combinations," said Ricciardone. "It is the most athletic and dynamic team we've had, with many players able to play multiple positions defensively. We have a great mix of impactful youth and veteran experience, and I'm excited to see us start to find our identity during our first two road weekends. They are a well-connected team with great athleticism and championship potential. We're looking forward to the process and each chapter of the journey this spring."

The Road Ahead
For their second-straight weekend in warmer temps, Yale heads to Atlanta, Ga., for a five-game slate, taking on Georgia State in a three-game series, along with the College of Charleston and Georgia Tech. Following their Georgia stint, the Bulldogs return to New England to host the University of New Haven and Boston University March 7-8.