Season Preview: 2025 Softball

Photo by: Mark Campbell

2/4/2025 11:48:00 AM | Softball

NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware softball will compete in its 50th season of the program and last season in the CAA on Thursday, Feb. 6 in Tampa, Fla. This season also marks the opening of the newly renovated Delaware Softball Diamond.

2024 Recap
Delaware is coming off arguably its best season in program history, as it set program records for wins in a season (39) and conference wins in a season (21) while tying its program record for longest win streak (13) and longest conference win streak (10). The Hens have won at least 25 games in a program record four-straight seasons. Delaware led the CAA in average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, doubles, and ERA in 2024. Their 1.98 ERA was ninth-best in the NCAA. Delaware was also top five in the conference in home runs, shutouts, triples, walks, and stolen bases. Delaware has been ranked top five in the CAA in average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and ERA for five-consecutive seasons.

UD had seven players earn CAA Postseason honors, including five All-Conference honors to tie a program record, and tied a program record with four All-Region selections. Emily Winburn earned her fourth All-Region honor, a program record, and fourth CAA All-Conference selection. Winburn set Delaware program records for wins with 21 and pitched to a 1.54 ERA. Julz Garber was Delaware's third consecutive CAA Defensive Player of the Year, and first outfielder in CAA history to earn the award.

Preseason Recognition
Morgan Hess was named CAA Preseason Player of the Year and Gianna Costaro, Katie Scheivert, Sydney Shaffer, and Billie Kerwood earned Preseason All-CAA honors. Chloe Blantz and Mary Beth Cahalan were named as CAA Preseason Honorable Mentions.

Kerwood was also named Preseason CAA Pitcher of the Year by D1Softball. In the outlet's player rankings, Cahalan was ranked first among the 20 listed, and Hess was fourth. Shaffer (11), Kerwood (13), Blantz (14), and Scheivert (18) were also recognized.

The Blue Hens were picked to finish first in the CAA and D1Softball Preseason Polls.

Returners
UD returns 13 overall players from last year's squad. Along with Hess, Costaro, Katie Scheivert, Shaffer, and Blantz, Delaware's returnees include Graceyn Frost, Kristen Luzon, Olivia Marinucci, Veronica Diomede, Lillie Scheivert, Ellie Mulligan, Jamie Chandler, and Ryleigh Thomas.

Incoming Players
Delaware will be joined by 11 new players - seven transfers and four freshmen. Cahalan, a former All-Region selection, joins Delaware from Dartmouth, while Kerwood joins the Blue Hens after playing three seasons at Monmouth. Grace Hausamann (Lafayette), Marlayna Capaldi (South Alabama), Gracie Jacobs (DePaul), Emma Denison (Bowling Green), and Claire Woods (Middle Tennessee State) all also join the Blue Hens.

Sorella Gallucci, Bridget Chapman, Ellie Talley, and Josie Crossman will be in their first season as freshmen.

The Schedule
Delaware will begin the season at the USF-Rawlings Invitational against Illinois State, South Florida, Georgia Southern, Michigan, and Florida. Florida is ranked No. 1 in the Softball America and D1Softball Preseason Polls, No. 2 in the USA Softball Preseason Poll, and No. 3 in the NFCA Preseason Poll. Michigan is ranked No. 20 by D1Softball, 22 by USA Softball, and 23 by Softball America.

The following week, Delaware will play James Madison, Saint Francis, and Buffalo at the JMU Lakeside Book Company Invitational. UD will then play in the Mizuno Classic against Virginia, Longwood, Connecticut, and Penn. Virginia is ranked currently No. 24 by Softball America.

The Blue Hens will unveil their newly-renovated stadium during a seven-game homestand, first during the Blue Hen Invitational from February 27 - March 1 against Syracuse, Quinnipiac, and Morgan State. They will remain in Newark for a doubleheader against Coppin State on March 5.

In conference play, Delaware will play Drexel, Stony Brook, Hofstra, Elon, UNCW, North Carolina A&T, Hampton, Monmouth, and Towson. UD also has non-conference midweek games against St. Joe's, Maryland, Delaware State, and Villanova.

TICKETING/CREDENTIALING
Season and single game tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now. The upcoming season will feature cutting-edge renovations, including a state-of-the-art Daktronics videoboard, turf playing surface, LED lighting, and more. Season tickets are now 50% off the single-game rate—just $94 for access to the entire season with general admission seating.

Delaware Athletics Communications and Creative Services Office will handle all credential requests. Photographers and videographers wishing to shoot Delaware softball games must have a credential for the approved game(s) at all times.

The Delaware Softball Diamond will offer concessions for select home games this season. More information will be provided in the coming weeks. Bathrooms will also be available for all home games.

No pets, other than service animals, are permitted at Delaware Diamond.

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