Softball Announces 2025 Signing Class
11/17/2025 3:58:00 PM | Softball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo softball program added five signees to this year's National Signing Day class. This marks Head Coach Chelsea Plimpton's first signing class as the head coach of the program.
Alexis Mendez // Pitcher // Queen Creek // Queen Creek, Ariz.
Alexis Mendez will join the Bulls from Queen Creek, Ariz. The pitcher earned numerous honors and recognition during her time with the Bulldogs. She helped Queen Creek to a 29-8 record including a 10-0 region record. She was a 4A All-Region First Team, 4A All-Conference First Team, 4A Region Defensive Player of the Year, 4A All-Conference Defensive Player of the Year and 6A All-Region Second Team honoree.
Lainey Bochette // Infielder // Hoosic Valley // Schaghticoke, N.Y.
Lainey Bochette will stay in New York, but head west to Buffalo. The infielder had a batting average of .464 to help her on base percentage to .577. She tallied a total of 102 hits to go with an impressive 40 stolen bases. Bochette held a .953 fielding percentage. As an eighth grader, she earned Second-Team Wasaren League honors. Over the last three seasons, she took home First-Team Wasaren League distinction and First-Team Times Union All-Area Small School honors. Last season she was a NYS Section II All-Star and 518 Futures All-Star Selection. In the classroom, she's fifth in her graduating class.
Maris Huff // Catcher // Niagara Wheatfield // Sanborn, N.Y.
Local product, Maris Huff will join Plimpton's inaugural signing class. The catcher finished with a .977 slugging percentage to go with her .574 on base and .535 batting percentage. She also ripped in 27 runs. Defensively, she has a personal-best pop time of 1.62-seconds. As a seventh grader, the catcher took home Second-Team All-NFL honors. Over the last four seasons, she took home First-Team All-NFL honors. As s sophomore and junior, Huff was an All-WNY Honorable Mention. A true leader, she's been the captain of her Niagara Wheatfield squad since her eighth grade season.
Madison Dombek // Infielder // Orchard Park // West Seneca, N.Y.
Another Western New Yorker is here to stay in the area under Plimpton's tutelage. Dombek brought home a NYSPHSAA Championship to the area last season as Orchard Park defeated Horseheads, 3-1. She had a career-high .446 batting average in 2024 as she hit .373 last season. As she helped the Quakers to a state title, Dombek earned First-Team ECIC I honors.
Natalia Mancino // Catcher/Utility // Averill Park // Averill Park, N.Y.
Natalia Mancino is another New York product that will stay in state. The catcher recorded batting averages of .410 and .333 over the last two seasons at Averill Park. Her performance on the field helped her to First and Second-Team All-Star Suburban Council honors. In her junior season, she was named Third-Team All-State Catcher. In 2024, she was named offensive player of the year at Averill Park.
For all the latest on UB Softball, follow @UBBullssoftball on Twitter/X, @ubbullssoftball on Instagram and like the UB Softball Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Alexis Mendez // Pitcher // Queen Creek // Queen Creek, Ariz.
Alexis Mendez will join the Bulls from Queen Creek, Ariz. The pitcher earned numerous honors and recognition during her time with the Bulldogs. She helped Queen Creek to a 29-8 record including a 10-0 region record. She was a 4A All-Region First Team, 4A All-Conference First Team, 4A Region Defensive Player of the Year, 4A All-Conference Defensive Player of the Year and 6A All-Region Second Team honoree.
Lainey Bochette // Infielder // Hoosic Valley // Schaghticoke, N.Y.
Lainey Bochette will stay in New York, but head west to Buffalo. The infielder had a batting average of .464 to help her on base percentage to .577. She tallied a total of 102 hits to go with an impressive 40 stolen bases. Bochette held a .953 fielding percentage. As an eighth grader, she earned Second-Team Wasaren League honors. Over the last three seasons, she took home First-Team Wasaren League distinction and First-Team Times Union All-Area Small School honors. Last season she was a NYS Section II All-Star and 518 Futures All-Star Selection. In the classroom, she's fifth in her graduating class.
Maris Huff // Catcher // Niagara Wheatfield // Sanborn, N.Y.
Local product, Maris Huff will join Plimpton's inaugural signing class. The catcher finished with a .977 slugging percentage to go with her .574 on base and .535 batting percentage. She also ripped in 27 runs. Defensively, she has a personal-best pop time of 1.62-seconds. As a seventh grader, the catcher took home Second-Team All-NFL honors. Over the last four seasons, she took home First-Team All-NFL honors. As s sophomore and junior, Huff was an All-WNY Honorable Mention. A true leader, she's been the captain of her Niagara Wheatfield squad since her eighth grade season.
Madison Dombek // Infielder // Orchard Park // West Seneca, N.Y.
Another Western New Yorker is here to stay in the area under Plimpton's tutelage. Dombek brought home a NYSPHSAA Championship to the area last season as Orchard Park defeated Horseheads, 3-1. She had a career-high .446 batting average in 2024 as she hit .373 last season. As she helped the Quakers to a state title, Dombek earned First-Team ECIC I honors.
Natalia Mancino // Catcher/Utility // Averill Park // Averill Park, N.Y.
Natalia Mancino is another New York product that will stay in state. The catcher recorded batting averages of .410 and .333 over the last two seasons at Averill Park. Her performance on the field helped her to First and Second-Team All-Star Suburban Council honors. In her junior season, she was named Third-Team All-State Catcher. In 2024, she was named offensive player of the year at Averill Park.
For all the latest on UB Softball, follow @UBBullssoftball on Twitter/X, @ubbullssoftball on Instagram and like the UB Softball Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
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