Kaylee Whittaker, the reigning Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year, is back as the ace of the CCSU Softball team. 

She holds a record of 7-2 thus far and continues to dominate. She has struck out 56 batters in nine games and has an earned run average of 2.44.  

Whittaker threw her first career no-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader against Holy Cross in February. 

In her fourth season with the team, she has her sights set on the NEC title. 

“Collectively, our goal this year is to win the conference,” Whittaker said. “Aside from personal goals and achievements, everyone is really on board to win the conference this year.” 

When it comes to personal goals, Whittaker’s is simple. 

“Win the conference,” she said. “I think that’s the main thing on everyone’s mind this year.” 

At the end of February, Whittaker was named the NEC Pitcher of the Week for the first time this season. 

“It’s nice to get recognition, but I don’t pay that much attention to it,” Whittaker said. “When me or any of my teammates are on it, we are very supportive of each other and happy.”  

Whittaker’s journey to CCSU was not as simple as getting recruited to play. 

“I was supposed to go to LIU Post, but they merged campuses with Brooklyn,” Whittaker said. “I knew a girl that played here and reached out when I needed to find a new home. I ended up taking a tour here, met with the coaches and fell in love with it. The environment was great.” 

Whittaker is a general studies major with a focus in business. 

“Just finding good time management was definitely an adjustment,” Whittaker said. “Being able to get work done, both athletically and in the classroom, is tough, but with the group we have, everyone is really on board and on track with not only winning games but also doing well in the classroom.”