With the 2026 season approaching, the Rhode Island Rams softball team is set to field one of its fastest outfields in recent years. The group includes experienced players and newcomers, all aiming to contribute both offensively and defensively.
Senior Hannah Hernandez returns as a three-year starter in centerfield. She has played 134 games with 120 starts, ranking second on the team behind catcher Kylie Bulinski. Hernandez has recorded 36 career stolen bases, placing her fifth in program history, and scored 55 runs. Head coach Mike Coutts commented on her leadership and performance: “While she is not a captain, Hannah is certainly one of our leaders. She has great energy and is fun to be around. I want her to play on the field the way she is off the field. Sometimes she gets too serious on the field. We want her to hit more this year. She had a great Fall swinging the bat.”
Freshman Meg McNally will serve as Hernandez’s backup in centerfield but is expected to see playing time throughout the season. Coutts said, “Meg can really run. She is a lefty slapper out of a strong New Jersey Pride club team. She understands the game, plays hard and has great bat control as a slapper.”
Junior Sydney Orndorff became an important player last season after transferring into the program, making 36 starts—28 in the outfield—and collecting 24 hits over the final 22 games. Coutts praised her effort: “She plays hard all the time. When you have kids who play hard all the time, it just helps the rest of the team understand what it takes. Sydney had an awesome year for us. What I love about Syd is that she really competes her butt off every time she is on the field.”
Senior Mandi Hanewich started 20 games last season and has appeared in 94 career games for Rhode Island. According to Coutts, “Mandi really bought in and has been a key part of the team this year. Mandi can run well, she can throw and she is a good outfielder. If she is not starting, she is certainly going to be able to help us. She has a lot of skill.”
Connecticut transfer Rayah Snyder joins Rhode Island after two seasons with UConn and brings speed and arm strength to right field; she also has experience at centerfield if needed. Snyder’s father is former Boston/Pawtucket Red Sox player Earl Snyder. Coutts noted, “Rayah didn’t get to play a lot at UConn, but she is a good player. She wants to play and is very competitive. She is going to play a lot in right. With Hannah, Meg, Mandi and Rayah, we have a lot of speed in the outfield. Rayah can also play centerfield if needed.”
Redshirt freshman Giuliana Ialongo along with freshmen Brooke Fairbanks and Lyla Caston worked in various outfield roles during fall practice as Rhode Island seeks position flexibility across its roster.
Coutts added about Caston’s development: “Sophie’s situation is a lot like (infielder) Sophie Scurci,” Coutts said. “Adjusting to college pitching is key for Lyla. How quickly she adjusts to college pitching will determine her development.”
Several players—including McNally, Hanewich, Snyder and Ialongo—are expected to contribute as pinch runners or hitters when not starting.
As Rhode Island prepares for its season opener at East Texas A&M’s Lion Invitational this weekend, Coutts acknowledged strength coach Jack Hertz’s impact: “Jack did an awesome job in the weight room with the kids,” Coutts said. “They really pushed each other, and you can how the work in that area had a great impact on the team chemistry.”
