SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Under the leadership of first-year head coach Shayne Lotito, the Bryant University softball team begins a new era in Bulldog softball when it opens the 2014 regular season at the UTSA Mid-Major Classic in San Antonio, Texas, over the weekend.

The Bulldogs closed the 2013 regular season with a 21-22 overall record, going 10-10 in the Northeast Conference, finishing one spot shy of a spot in the NEC Tournament. However, the Black and Gold closed the year winning seven of their final nine games, including five of six against league opponents.

Bryant brings back a veteran squad in 2014 with 13 returners, including seven seniors led by All-NEC first team selections shortstop Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) and outfielder Lauren Guy (La Habra, Calif.).

"One of this team's greatest strengths is its leadership," said Lotito. "This senior class is very talented and hungry for their chance to compete for an NEC Championship."

Infield

Mable, who enters her senior campaign as one of the best to ever don the Black and Gold, picked up her third All-NEC nod (second first team pick) in 2013 as a junior and currently ranks in the top five in program history in batting average (.393), hits (151), RBI (92), runs scored (99), doubles (43) and home runs (19). Last year, the Colorado native hit a team-best .396, and will likely captain the Bryant infield from the shortstop position in 2014.

Senior Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.), who hit .250 with 24 hits, 13 RBI and 13 runs scored as a junior, will be called on to handle the majority of the catching duties in 2014.

Seniors Taylor Bell (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) and Amy Weinberg (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.), junior Jessica Benacquista (Belleville, N.J.), and sophomores Mollie Anderson (East Greenwich, R.I.) and Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.) will all add some much needed depth along the Bulldog infield, as well.

Outfield

Guy, who put up a breakout junior season, hit .395 in 2013 with 10 homeruns, 20 RBI and 47 runs scored en route to her first-ever All-NEC honor and a NFCA All-Northeast Region Second Team selection. Along with Guy, junior Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.), who hit .264 with three long balls and 26 RBI last year, and senior Kristen Carter (Branchville, N.J.) will help anchor the outfield for Bryant this season.

Pitchers

Joining Mable and Guy as First Team All-NEC pick in 2013 was sophomore pitcher Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), who quickly established herself as a force both in the batter's box and in the pitching circle. Madsen, a four-time NEC Rookie of the Week, finished the 2013 season hitting .329 with 27 hits, six homers and 26 RBI. She also posted a team-best 3.05 ERA with 10 wins and a pair of saves in the circle. Opposing hitters can count on a heavy dose of Madsen and classmate Katelin Saunders (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), along with sophomore transfer Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) in the Bulldog pitching circle this season.

"We are extremely excited to get outside and see the true capabilities of this team," added Lotito. "Our record last year doesn't accurately depict the potential of this team as a whole."

"They have all put in long hours and hard work and we are ready to make a statement right from the start."

The Bulldogs begin their quest for an NEC Title on Friday when they face off with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the UTSA Mid-Major Classic at 12:30 p.m. EST.

For full information on the UTSA Mid-Major Classic and all the latest news on the Bryant University softball team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.