KINGSTON, R.I. - Led by three-year starter Kylie Bulinski, Rhode Island has a deep and experienced stable of catchers heading into the 2026 season. With a group of four players who all have strong offensive potential, the coaching staff has the positive challenge of finding ways to work everyone into the lineup.   

Bulinski and Natalie Maleitzke were the team's catchers last season as well, with Bulinski starting 27 games behind the plate and Maleitzke 22. Bulinski also started 22 times as the team's designated player, as she was the lone Ram to start all 49 games a year ago.

Maine transfer Immy Gie gives the team a veteran presence, as she played in 63 games with the Black Bears, 40 in 2023 and 23 in 2025. Gie redshirted during the 2024 season. Freshman Brooke Fairbanks, an East Greenwich, R.I. native, gives the team strong depth.

Bulinski has been one of the most productive hitters in program history. She enters her senior season with 108 career hits, including 18 doubles and 10 home runs. Last season she set the program's single-season record with 37 walks and had a .484 on-base percentage, just .001 point off the URI record of .485 set by URI Athletics Hall of Famer Kellie Cookus in 1998. She is on pace to be the first Rhode Island player in more than a decade to reach 150 career hits. The last to do so was Courtney Prendergast, who had 166 from 2009-13. Bulinski also enters the season with an active 14-game hitting streak.

"We know what we are going to get from Kylie," head coach Mike Coutts said. "She has been a great leader for the program. We want her to have a great senior season."

After being limited to 12 games as a freshman due to injury, Maleitzke started 26 of the 32 games she played last season. She is a solid defensive player whose bat figures to improve this season.

"Natalie gained valuable experience last season," Coutts said. "She has a strong knowledge of the game and will be back as a regular part of the lineup."

While the two newcomers - Gie and Fairbanks - are catchers by trade, both have the versatility and athleticism to play other spots as well. In addition to being behind the plate, Gie worked at third base during the Fall, while Fairbanks was impressive in the outfield. URI assistant coach Cat Fallon - who played for Coutts at Maine - was teammates with Gie for two seasons.

In her time at Maine, Gie batted .256 with four doubles, three home runs, 17 runs scored and 19 runs batted in.

"We are very familiar with what Immy is capable of doing on the field," Coutts said. "She is a good softball player with some pop in her bat. We were excited to add her veteran presence."

Fairbanks was an All-State player for East Greenwich who batted an eye-popping .600 as a senior and helped her team with the Division II state title as a sophomore.

"Brooke also worked in the outfield during the Fall," Coutts said. "For a kid who never played outfield before, she did an awesome job. She is a kid with the potential middle of the lineup bat."

Rhode Island opens the season at the Lion Invitational. Hosted by East Texas A&M, the tournament runs from Feb. 12-14.

Check GoRhody.com on Feb. 5 for a look at the team's infielders.