FAIRFIELD, Conn. – It didn't take very long for pitcher Alyssa Weinberg to know she was where she belonged.

"My first game at Fairfield was a complete game win against Stetson so I felt good that I could compete at this level," Weinberg said. "It was nice to know that I was where I wanted to be and that I could do this."

In fact, it was her debut that proved that the lefthander not only belonged but would help her earn the respect among her teammates, within the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and now at a national level.

The national recognition came when Weinberg earned a spot on the DISoftball's Mid-Major Rankings Top 100 as one of the best softball student-athletes in the country. She is one of four MAAC softball players to garner the recognition.

"I was really surprised because I was not expecting to be on the list at all," Weinberg said. "It's nice to be recognized so it feels good to be part of the ranking."

The recognition is certainly deserving especially coming off her best season as a Stag, winning 18 games and striking out 190 hitters in 180 innings of work. She has already made her mark in the  Fairfield record book, placing in the top five for career strikeouts with 318. And, she is also poised to move into the all-time leader list in a few other categories innings pitched and career wins with her current totals standing at 348 innings and 28 victories.

"Last season was a good stepping stone and I'm looking to have a better year," Weinberg said. "We had a good season last year but fell short so the seniors really want to build on last season and win a championship this year."

The Stags won 26 games a year ago and advanced to the MAAC Tournament. The team dominated at certain points of the season, winning nine straight midyear before closing out the regular season with eight wins over the final 10 games. Seniors Martina Gutierrez, Cara Kochakian, Quinn McGonigle, Anna Paravati, and Delaney Whieldon combined for an impressive .286 batting average with 29 extra base hits, including eight home runs, and 82 RBI.

Weinberg recorded 18 of the team's 26 wins from the pitching circle in 2025. She is familiar with lending a hand in a team's success, something to which she has become accustomed over her career. She played with LAC Force until she was 16 and then transitioned to Team Long Island. With those programs, she began to gain notice with her ability to keep hitters off balance and rack up the strikeouts.

"We were a good team so we were able to be seen by colleges," Weinberg said.

Fairfield Head Coach Julie Brzezinski was one of those college coaches who paid attention to Weinberg's accomplishments.

"Coach B found me when I was pitching with Team Long Island," Weinberg recalled. "I came for a visit and a week later Coach B came back to watch another game. When she offered me to come to Fairfield, I committed on the spot."

The commitment of Weinberg as well as her classmates  has been mutually beneficial for Fairfield since their arrival for the 2023 season. And it is that commitment that may well bring another MAAC title to the program in 2026.