Softball to Start Season in Florida

2025 Lady Kats Offer a Great Mix of veteran Presence Coupled with a Strong Blend of Youth

The 2025 Lady Kats are looking to build on the success of last year’s playoff team. The 2024 squad advanced to the playoffs for the first time in years under the leadership of second year head coach Craig Leone and assistant coach Charles Righetti. The 2025 team returns six of those players including three all conference and one all region standout. Anna Cervino, 1st team all conference and 2nd team all region returns to do the catching duties for the Kats. Cervino batted .474 with 37 hits and 30 RBI’s to lead the Kats in 2024. The Cheektowaga native and Herkimer transfer caught every regular season inning for the Kats in ’24. Cheyenne Barnard, a product of Iroquois High School, returns after being named an all conference 2nd team selection. Barnard hit .376 while driving in 26 runs and scoring 17. She will be a force in the middle of the Kats line up while adding quality innings in the circle. Olivia Ball is another all conference player who hit .338 with 19 RBI’s while adding 3 homeruns in ’24. Ball a Tapestry High School product is expected to pace the Kats with a solid defensive and offensive presence. Bella Raimondi an Amherst High School product returns to help steady the Lady Kats in the middle of the diamond. Raimondi hit .297 as a first year player with 16 RBI’s and 14 runs scored and is expected to build on her strong ’24 Season. Brianna Farnsworth from Depew High School returns after hitting .309 in her freshman year with 17 RBI’s and 8 runs scored. Farnsworth is expected to play outfield and put pressure on the defense with her speed. The last returning Kat from 2024 is Alison Hawes. Hawes played in eleven games for the Kats in ’24 and will look to provide innings in the outfield.

The Kats are pleased to welcome freshman Grace Szpylman to the ’25 roster. Szpylman, a standout pitcher at Lancaster High School and a standout with the Lancaster Heat will lead the way in the circle for the Kats. Szpylman led Lancaster High School to a deep playoff run earning 1st Team ECIC l honors. The Kats welcome back Emma Poitras from their 2023 team. Emma was a standout in ’23 and she is expected to be a strong force in the Kats offensive lineup and provide quality innings at 1b. Emma is a product of the Orchard Park Starz. Carly Fraser a 2nd team all WNY large school selection from Lake Shore High School is another welcomed addition to the Kats lineup. Fraser will provide left handed power in the middle of the Kats lineup while playing 1b and OF. The 1st team all ECIC lll selection also played for the Orchard Park Starz Premier and NY Inferno. A transfer from Niagara University, Kira Kilonsky will join the ’25 Kats. Kira is the younger sister of Julia and Alysa Kilonsky who were both stand out players for the Kats. Kira is expected to play SS and provide an offensive spark to the Kats lineup. Before NU, Kira was a six year starter at Tapestry High School earning numerous High School honors and also is a member of the North Buffalo Wild Cats. Another City of Buffalo and NB Wild Cat product, Mikayla Gallivan joins the Kats after a standout career at Olmstead High School. Gallivan also a six year starter earned 2nd team Buffalo Public Schools Division l honors as a senior. Gallivan will be a steady presence for the Kats in the outfield and can also play 3b. Haley Wackowski, a two sport athlete from South Park High School who plays basketball and softball for the Kats will provide speed to the Kats lineup. Haley’s versatility allows her to play multiple positions as proven by her selection to the 1st Team Buffalo Public Schools Division ll team at a SS and P. Haley has played travel softball with the West Seneca Magic. A High School Standout from Tonawanda High School, Arianna Battaglia, will provide more versatility and athleticism to the Kats lineup. Battaglia can play middle infield and outfield. She played travel softball with the Kenmore Blue Devils.

The Kats open up the 2025 campaign March 6th in Clermont, Florida before returning home to begin their region 3 schedule. The Lady Kats are optimistic that 2025 will be a great year for SUNY Erie and are looking forward to a new multi sport turf complex coming soon. The Lady Kats can be followed on our softball webpage at athletics.ecc.edu as well as on our twitter page at SUNY Erie Kats Athletics.