ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College softball team is set to open its 2026 campaign after a strong 30–8 season in which the Bombers advanced to the NCAA Regional Championship game against No. 9 Texas Lutheran University. Ithaca dominated Liberty League play with an 11–3 record, went 13–2 at neutral sites, and posted a 7–1 mark on the road.
 
Ithaca will look to also capture its second-straight Liberty League Championship and earned the top spot in the 2026 Liberty League Preseason Poll. The Bombers totaled 46 points to the Engineers' 44 for Ithaca to earn the preseason favorite nod. The University of Rochester was picked to finish third with 39 points, and St. Lawrence University rounded out the top four teams with 28 points.
 
The Bombers enter the season under the leadership of head coach Kelly Robichaud, now in her fourth year on South Hill. She is joined on the staff by assistants Payton Cutting, Belle de Oliveira and Dan Raymond. This year's roster features three first-years, seven sophomores, six juniors, and six seniors.
 
Ithaca opens the year on the road with a doubleheader at the University of Scranton, kicking off a 12‑game road stretch. That trip includes five split doubleheaders in Florida, where the Bombers will face 10 different opponents over five days.
 
"We will take each game day by day. No game will be bigger than the one we are in," said Robichaud. "This team is very much looking forward to competing as a group, and they are going to bring the energy."
 
The early-season schedule also features three nationally ranked opponents. The Bombers will take on No. 17 Simpson College in their third game of the year before meeting No. 6 Rowan University on March 27. Ithaca will also square off with No. 11 Wisconsin–Whitewater to close out the 12‑game trip.
 
"I'm very much looking forward to seeing the staff that we brought in. Mady and Taylor have experience under their belts," Robichaud added. "Kahlen and Madison Collins have already started to leave their mark on the staff."
 
Pitching was one of Ithaca's biggest strengths last season, as the Bombers posted a Liberty League–best 1.64 team ERA. Mady Rowell was a major contributor, finishing with a 1.87 ERA, second-best in the conference. She started 14 games, issued just 18 walks, and struck out 65 batters. Taylor Brunn will also take on a significant role after appearing in nine games in 2025, logging a 2.10 ERA and recording a save.

Junior transfer Kahlen Cornell joins the staff from Georgian Court University, where she made 10 starts, threw three complete games, and earned a save in 2024. Along with Cornell, the Bombers welcome several newcomers expected to make an immediate impact.
 
"Maddie Collins has showcased well in the bullpen. We are liking what we are seeing offensively from Gabbi. Kyra has added depth to our outfield," said Robichaud. "Madison Coots and Kahlen Cornell both come to us with college experience, which is always great to have."
 
Coots, who arrives from Corning Community College, adds power to an already potent lineup. She hit .476 last season with 10 home runs, six stolen bases, 55 RBIs, and a .549 on‑base percentage. She joins an offense led by standouts Haley Petrucci, Jessie Lopez, and Elise Waddington.
 
"This group is competitive; they are going to fight in every inning we get. We are looking to elevate our championship culture pillars, create chaos, and stick to our fundamentals," Robichaud said.
 
Petrucci led Ithaca last season with a .447 on‑base percentage, a 1.000 OPS, and 18 walks, while tying for the team lead with three home runs. Lopez ranked second on the team with 14 stolen bases—the most among returning Bombers—while Waddington drove in 37 runs, the third-most in the Liberty League. All three, along with Cate Murray, Anna Bello, and Kailen Winkelblech, finished among the league's top-30 hitters by batting average.
 
"This year, we are setting our goal for hosting the conference tournament, winning the conference tournament, and having another postseason run," added Robichaud. "We are fortunate to have more postseason experience and are looking forward to playing on the national stage."
 
Ithaca opens its 2026 season on the road this Saturday in Pennsylvania with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. against the University of Scranton.