The road to a second straight America East championship for the Binghamton University softball team and head coach Jess Bump (WCHS ’10) wasn’t a straight one.

Adversity, a sub-.500 record over a schedule that included three games against top-20 teams, and a must-win doubleheader in the America East Tournament were among the obstacles the Bearcats overcame.

“It shows the passion the players had to work to complete the mission of going back-to-back,” said Bump.

Now comes the biggest obstacle – a matchup against Oklahoma on Friday, May 15. The Sooners were 48-8 during the regular season and are making their 32nd consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, a stretch that includes four consecutive national championships from 2021-2024.

“I’ve told the team we can have our few minutes of awe, our few minutes of fandom, but then we have to go to work. We put our cleats on one foot at a time just like they do,” said Bump.

As Bump made her way back to the NCAA tournament, she went with the support of many from Windsor.

“The community has been great,” said Bump. “I’ve heard from past coaches, teachers, friends.”

Now the coach from a small town is preparing her team to play on college softball’s biggest stage.

“I told the team we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play against some of the best softball players in the country,” said Bump.