During its season-opening weekend, the Stony Brook softball team had a rough go of it after getting off to a hot start in 2025.
To start off their 2025 campaign, the Seawolves (1-4) were down in Miami at Felsberg Field for the Felsberg Invitational this past weekend. While playing at the home of the Florida International University (FIU) Panthers (4-1), Stony Brook got off to a slow start for a second consecutive year.
The Seawolves’ season began on Friday afternoon with an 8-2 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones (1-4). But, they quickly cooled off from there, as Stony Brook was run-ruled 10-0 in five innings by the Indiana Hoosiers (4-1) later that day. To begin Saturday, the Seawolves were shutout 2-0 by the hosting Panthers before losing via the mercy rule to the Hoosiers once again, this time by a score of 10-1 in six innings. On getaway day, Stony Brook failed to complete an improbable comeback when it fell 9-8 to FIU on Sunday.
With nothing going for the Seawolves’ offense in the top of the first inning, starting pitcher Gabrielle Maday took the circle against the Cyclones in game one and got off to a rocky start. After getting two quick outs, Maday walked Iowa State shortstop Reagan Bartholomew and first baseman Ashley Minor, setting the table for designated player Sydney Malott to rip a single into left field to bring home the game’s first run.
Stony Brook’s bats took off in the second inning, however, and never looked back. With one out, designated player Mia Vannelli reached base when Minor bobbled a ground ball at first to start the rally; right fielder Emma Scheitinger followed by notching her first collegiate hit. After walking third baseman Madelyn Stepski to load the bases, Iowa State starting pitcher Jaiden Ralston’s 2-1 pitch was hammered past diving center fielder Hayleigh Oliver by shortstop Kyra McFarland for a bases-clearing triple.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Seawolves stretched their lead to 4-1. With one away and Iowa State relief pitcher Abby Huhn now in the circle, Stepski launched her first collegiate home run over the left-field fence.
An inning later, one-out singles by center fielder Alyssa Costello and first baseman Chloe Montalvo set the stage for catcher Emily Reinstein to dump a bloop single into right field to pick up a run batted in (RBI). Immediately after, Vannelli pulled a single down the left-field line for her first collegiate hit and RBI.
With two outs, Iowa State relief pitcher Lauren Schurman hurled a wild pitch, allowing Reinstein to trot home and make it 7-1.
Though Bartholomew slashed an RBI single into right field to make it 7-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, left fielder Marissa Thalassinos notched her first RBI and hit as a Seawolf by pulling a single into right field in the top of the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Costello gunned down Iowa State right fielder Isabelle Nosan at the plate to end the game at 8-2.
“It was great to open the 2025 season today and play such good competition,” head coach Megan Bryant said in a postgame interview with Stony Brook Athletics. “We played exceptionally well in the Iowa State win in all facets of our game.”
Maday was excellent during the series opener, tossing a complete game while surrendering just two runs. Across her seven innings of work and 164 pitches thrown, she allowed seven hits and seven walks while also striking out seven Cyclones.
Unlike their season opener, everything seemed to go wrong for the Seawolves against Indiana. Stony Brook sent starting pitcher Crimson Rice to the circle for her collegiate debut and she was not welcomed kindly. With a runner at third base and one out in the top of the first inning, Indiana left fielder Taylor Minnick delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 Hoosiers from jump.
In the following inning, Rice allowed a single and issued two free passes, filling the bases to start the top of the second. During the ensuing at-bat, pinch hitter Sydni Burko reached on a fielder’s choice to drive in a run.
Following a wild pitch and another walk, Indiana center fielder Melina Wilkison ripped a two-RBI double into the left-center-field gap. Immediately after, one more walk by Rice loaded the bases once more and a run scored on a Minnick ground out during the next at-bat, extending the Hoosiers’ lead to 5-0.
With the Seawolves’ bats still asleep, Indiana tacked onto its lead in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs and two runners in scoring position, Minnick laced a pitch by relief pitcher Jordyn Fray up the middle, cashing in both runners.
In the fifth inning, pitcher Maddie Male came on in relief after the first two runners reached against Rice. With the bases juiced, Indiana shortstop Madalyn Strader grounded out to first base, but a pair of runs came around to score after a throw home by Montalvo got away from Reinstein. With a runner still standing at third base, third baseman Alex Cooper grounded a single through the middle of the diamond to make it 10-0.
Stony Brook was unable to get anything done in the bottom of the inning, as the Hoosiers cruised to a victory via the mercy rule.
“Game two, we didn’t play up to our standard and you pay for that against a team like Indiana,” Bryant said. “It was a learning experience for our young team and we have takeaways to bring into day two tomorrow.”
Rice’s first career start did not go as planned, as she allowed five runs, three hits and four walks across two innings. In relief, Fray did not fare much better, surrendering four runs, four hits and a walk over two frames. Male gave up a run and two hits in her lone inning of work.
Though Saturday’s opening contest was a much closer affair, the Seawolves failed to get back on track during a pitchers’ duel.
After a quick top of the first inning, the Panthers broke through against Male in the bottom half. FIU center fielder Kally Meredith utilized her speed to set the table in the leadoff spot, as she legged out a bunt single and swiped second base to get into scoring position. Following her up, second baseman Kendall Catherwood ripped an RBI double into the right-field corner to put the Panthers up 1-0.
With Male and FIU starting pitcher Kennedy Byrd keeping both offenses at bay from that point on, Stony Brook’s best chance to knot the game up came during the top of the fourth inning. After Vannelli led off the frame with a single, Costello doubled to put two runners in scoring position. However, Byrd worked around and out of trouble, inducing a groundout, pop up and flyout to the next three batters.
The Panthers did not scratch across another run until the bottom of the sixth inning. With Male still dealing in the circle and two outs, second baseman Naiah Ackerman bobbled a routine groudball, prolonging the inning and allowing FIU left fielder Collier Peaden to reach first base. After Peaden stole second, shortstop Sammy Zelenka knocked an RBI single into right-center field to make it 2-0.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Seawolves nearly got even. With two away, right fielder Kaiya Simpkins delivered a pinch-hit single to keep Stony Brook alive. During the ensuing at-bat, a throwing error by third baseman Paige Miller put McFarland and Simpkins at second and third base, respectively. Nonetheless, Byrd got Ackerman to pop up, securing the 2-0 win.
“We did some good things today that we can build on and it was great to see the contribution of players who were given opportunities and made the most of those opportunities,” Bryant said. “Maddie Male pitched a great game against FIU and gave us a chance to win. If we are more productive offensively, that’s a game we win.”
In her first start since 2023, Male was superb. The southpaw gave up two runs (one earned), six hits and a walk across six innings. She also punched out three Panthers. Unfortunately for Male, the Seawolves’ offense mustered up just five hits and a walk.
During the latter game on Saturday, Stony Brook broke the shutout streak and drew first blood against Indiana in the top of the first inning. With the balls in Indiana starting pitcher Jasmine Reyes’ hands, McFarland went all the way to third base on a throwing error by Reyes to start the game. Immediately after, Ackerman picked up the RBI on a groundout to make it 1-0 Seawolves.
However, it was all Hoosiers from there. Maday once again got two quick outs to start her day in the bottom of the first, but Minnick kept the inning going with a single. Following Minnick, catcher Avery Parker lined a pitch into center field that Costello misjudged, allowing it to go over her head and to the wall for an RBI double.
The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the Hoosiers blew things wide open in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Maday surrendered a hit and two walks to load the bases, setting the table for Cooper to pick up a sacrifice fly and give her team the lead.
With two runners still on and two out, Wilkison stepped up to the dish and laced a pitch toward Ackerman. Upon getting to her, the ball took a lively hop off the dirt, went over her head and rolled all the way to the wall to score two more Hoosiers.
After a fielder’s choice that did not result in an out and stolen base put two more runners in scoring position, Minnick dumped a two-RBI single into center field that Costello dove for but was only able to trap, extending Indiana’s lead to 6-1 and chasing Maday off the circle.
With Fray on in relief, Parker singled into right field and pinch runner Peyton Drummond scored on an ill-advised throw by Simpkins to third base to cap off the scoring in the fourth inning.
“We hung tough with Indiana for three innings but let the game get away from us in the fourth,” Bryant said. “It’s the second day of the season against very good competition. We will take the experience and use it to get better.”
During the bottom of the fifth inning, a walk and single set the Hoosiers up with runners at the corners and Cooper brought a run home on a groundout.
Mercifully, the matchup concluded on a run-rule walk-off in the bottom of the sixth inning. With Fray still working in a mop-up role and two runners on, Indiana catcher Alli Gavin legged out a bunt single and Reinstein threw the ball away, bringing home both Hoosiers.
Contrasting her first start of the season, Maday was not nearly as effective. In 3 ⅔ innings, she pitched to seven runs, eight hits and two walks. In 1 ⅓ innings, Fray allowed three runs (one earned), four hits and a pair of walks.
Offensively, Stony Brook totaled just two hits and its only run was unearned.
During the final game of the weekend, the Seawolves and FIU combined for a barn burner.
After a quiet top of the first inning by Stony Brook, the Panthers erupted in the bottom half. Meredith picked up an infield single to lead things off and immediately swiped second base. With first baseman Malorie Hill playing in at first base, Peaden slapped Maday’s 1-2 pitch right by her to make it 1-0 FIU.
After getting two outs, a single and free pass loaded the bases for catcher Isabella Perez. Though Maday induced a ground ball to third base that could have gotten her out of the jam relatively unscathed, Stepski sailed the throw over Hill’s head, allowing a pair of runs to cross the plate.
During the ensuing at-bat, Maday hit FIU shortstop Jensen Luke to reload the bases before Miller slashed a two-RBI, opposite-field single through the left side of the infield to complete the Panthers’ first-inning five spot.
Leading off the top of the second inning, Costello belted a solo homer run over the right-field fence off of Byrd to cut the Seawolves’ deficit to four runs.
However, FIU’s offensive onslaught did not stop. Rice took over for Maday to start the bottom of the frame and with one gone, Catherwood sent a single into center field and stole second base. After striking out Byrd looking, Martinez yanked a single through a hole on the left side of the infield to bring Catherwood in and restore the Panthers’ five-run lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, FIU tacked on three insurance runs that wound up being integral. With two outs, Miller laid down a bunt single and stole second base upon getting on. Immediately after, Meredith dragged a bunt single of her own and turned it into a double, as Stony Brook was late to both cover second base and throw the ball.
Following the mishap, the Seawolves’ defense cost them again. Peaden slapped an infield hit to McFarland whose throw went awry, prompting both Miller and Meredith to come home. With Peaden on third base following the error, Catherwood singled through the middle of the diamond to stretch the Panthers’ lead to 9-1.
Though the game appeared to be destined for another run-rule loss for Stony Brook, the team battled back and did some damage. With two outs in the top of the fourth inning, Costello singled and Simpkins was hit by a pitch, putting ducks on the pond for Ackerman. Keeping the rally going, she ripped a double down the left-field line to score Costello.
Mirroring Ackerman, Reinstein doubled off the base of the right-center-field wall to bring both runners home and cut the Panthers’ lead to 9-4. With Reinstein now in striking distance, Hill looped a base knock into right field for her first collegiate hit and RBI.
Scheitinger then drew a walk to keep the line moving and McFarland responded. The leadoff hitter dumped a two-RBI triple just inside the right-field line to bring the Seawolves’ within two runs and chase Byrd from the contest. With the ball now in relief pitcher Brooke McNichols’ hands, Stony Brook scratched across one more run as Stepski took an outside pitch the other way to make it a 9-8 ball game.
Working in relief for the final 3 ⅓ innings, Male kept the Panthers’ offense quiet by conceding just two hits and a walk. However, McNichols faced the minimum from the fifth inning on, as the Seawolves could not carry their offensive success over en route to their fourth loss of the weekend.
“The first three innings of this game, we didn’t play to our standards and let FIU beat us in front,” Bryant said. “It took us a while to make our adjustments offensively and that combination left us in a hole. The fourth inning, we showed what we are capable of offensively, and Maddie was outstanding in relief. We know a lot more about our young team after five games against excellent competition. We are learning to play at a high level, and what it takes to find success at that level.”
On the mound, Maday completed just a single inning of work, as her defense did not help matters. She was tagged with five runs (one earned), four hits, a walk and hit batsman. Rice also struggled, going just 1 ⅔ innings in relief and surrendering four runs (three earned) and six hits. Rice recorded the staff’s lone strikeout in the contest, which was the first of her collegiate career.
Overall, Male was the team’s bright spot in the circle. Over 10 ⅓ innings in her three appearances (one start), the left-hander gave up just three runs (two earned), 10 hits and two walks. She also registered three strikeouts.
Across 11 ⅔ innings over the weekend, Maday struck out seven batters — which all came in her first start — and allowed 14 runs (10 earned), 19 hits, 10 walks and a hit-by-pitch. Rice punched out one hitter and surrendered nine runs (eight earned), nine hits and four walks in 3 ⅔ innings over two appearances (one start).
As an innings eater, Fray pitched to seven runs (five earned), eight hits and three walks over 3 ⅓ innings of work.
At the dish, Costello was far and away the Seawolves’ most productive hitter. The senior started off her season by picking five hits in 12 at-bats, including a home run, double, RBI, three runs scored, a stolen base, walk and two hit-by-pitches.
Despite historically being a table setter, McFarland was Stony Brook’s most prolific run producer. She went 7-for-17 with two triples, five RBIs, two runs and a walk. Vannelli showed well in her first taste of collegiate action, going 6-for-16 with a double, RBI and two runs.
Though she went just 3-for-13, Reinstein tallied three RBIs with a double and a pair of runs. Stepski went just 2-for-11 but demolished her first collegiate homer with two RBI, two runs scored and three walks. In just six at-bats, Simpkins recorded her first two collegiate hits, scored a run and reached base on a hit-by-pitch.
Ackerman struggled, striking out four times while going 2-for-14 with two RBIs, a double, a run scored and a walk.
The Seawolves will look to get their young season headed in the right direction next weekend at the Roar City Invitational in Nashville, Tenn. Stony Brook will begin its five-game weekend on Friday at 10 a.m. with a matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini, who are 1-4 this season. At 2:30 p.m. the same day, the Seawolves will move on to face the 2-2 Mercer Bears. The Bears will first make a stop in Macon, Ga. on Wednesday to take on West Georgia.
