Club Softball opens season against University of Rochester
Photo courtesy of Business Manager, Megan Pecenco
After opening their season with a tripleheader against the University of Rochester on Saturday, the Geneseo Club Softball Muddogs came away with two big wins and plenty of momentum heading into the rest of the year.
This past Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, Geneseo’s Club Softball team played a triple header against the University of Rochester (U of R). They delivered a thrilling weekend performance that showcased their sharp offense, precise pitching, and team camaraderie across the three-game series.
The first game of the day, the Muddogs started with a 3-2 win over the University of Rochester. It was a tight game with steady defense and pitching. Freshman Evelyn Pyszczek delivered a strong debut performance from the mound, working seamlessly with senior catcher Leah Kowalczyk to keep the opposing team in check.
On the offensive side, Leah Kowalczyk started the offensive drive with a home run, starting the Muddogs off strong. Pyszczek’s pitching run was stellar as she finished the first game of the series with an impressive nine strikeouts.
The Muddogs’ success did not stop there, however, and their energy was palpable in game two. The players were on fire and able to secure a whopping 13-0 win, their second win of the series over the University of Rochester Stingers. The Muddogs’ aggressive baserunning and great at-bats, combined with their sharp fielding, made their offensive assault too much to handle for the Stingers.
Battling back from the previous two losses, the U of R Stingers were able to win the final game of this triple header series 13-9. Despite the loss, the Muddogs continued to fight back with their impressive offensive power and were able to rack up an incredible nine runs, despite the loss.
The Muddogs’ success throughout the three-game series was no doubt credited to the leadership of President Julia D’Andrea and Vice President Samantha Schoendhardt. Both the juniors’ leadership had the team working together on and off the field to build and maintain the team’s energy, keeping them fired up. Their ability to balance motivation with focus kept the team locked in, pumped up, and ready to perform at their best throughout the series and, undoubtedly, for the rest of the year.
Other key players of the day included sophomore center-fielder Alivia Horton, junior catcher Sara McCune, and senior shortstop Kira Taber, all of whom hit home runs and were able to drive in significant runs, which proved to be the fuel needed to keep the Muddogs’ fire going. A strong defense was maintained by outfield players, including sophomore center-fielder Olivia Ruchala, who was just one of the many key players needed to secure two wins out of this triple header series.
The Geneseo Club Softball team has started its season off in a real show of strength,which is no doubt a reflection of the hard work that they have put in during the off-season. This past weekend was surely just a glimpse into what this upcoming year has in store for the Muddogs.
After a successful starting weekend, the Muddogs are looking to sustain their momentum in their next games and defend their home turf. The Geneseo Club Softball Muddogs will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 28, as they take on University at Buffalo in another three-game home series right here in Geneseo. Mark your calendars and come out to support!