Today: Dec 06, 2024

Softball team sputtering

Freshman Sara Buscetto rounds third during Southern's doubleheader against Adelphi University in Spring 2017. Photo Credit: SCSU Athletic Communications

Matt GadSports Writer

For Southern softball head coach Jill Rispoli, this season is one that she just wants to be turned around. Now sitting at 5-18, and a mere 2-9 in the NE10, she said the process of adjustment is still one in continuation.

“The wheels just came off the wagon,” she said April 6, reflecting on the team’s doubleheader the previous afternoon to the Adelphi Panthers.

The Owls let a six-run lead wash away late, giving Adelphi a 6-4 come-from-behind win in Game 1 of the aforementioned doubleheader. Game 2 was less of a show – Southern lost 3-1 as Adelphi was able to complete their sweep and continue their 2017 dominance.

Senior Giuliana D’Arcangelo said that everyone just needs to “come together,” adding that her team has hit “a bit of a rough patch.” However, she remains confident as ever, proclaiming that her team can and will “turn it around.”

Adelphi is nationally ranked in NCAA Division II softball and currently holds a 22-11-1 record. For the five wins Southern team to stay competitive for part of the afternoon, they were able to do right by their head coach.

“We had a great pitching performance in both games. It got a little shaky at the end (of Game 1), but we felt like we played two solid games,” Rispoli said.

“There is still a lot of season left and I feel confident that our girls will adjust. It all comes down to a bit more defensive execution, and a lot more on the offensive side,” said Rispoli.

The Owls were originally supposed to host a doubleheader with Post University tomorrow, but it was postponed. They will return to action April 19 with two games against archrival UNH, beginning at 3 and 5:30 p.m., respectively. The Owls will also welcome Le Moyne College April 22, with doubleheader action beginning at 12 p.m.

D’Arcangelo, who plays the infield and has racked up numerous accolades over her four year playing career, knows there is still hope for the current campaign. As a Brookfield, Conn. native, she came out of high school with the experience of being involved with an SWC Championship, from 2011, and a second place finish in 2012.

“[I’m] looking forward to winning to make the NE10 Tournament,” she said. “We need to start winning consecutive games (just to qualify).”

In total, D’Arcangelo has appeared in 21 games for the Owls, scoring seven runs off 22 hits and 8 RBIs. She is batting .349 and has only struck out four times.

April 25 Southern will face off against the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. Those games will be played as a 3 and 5:30 p.m. doubleheader. In Albany, N.Y. April 28, the Owls will conclude their season with one of two back-to-back doubleheaders. The first day’s games will be played at 4 and 6:30 p.m, while games on April 29 are tentatively set for 12 and 2:30 p.m.

If Southern wants to continue their season beyond that, they are going to need to come together, according to D’Arcangelo. As she and Rispoli have said, the team needs to just sharpen up their on-field play and consistency if they want to win more games this year.

Photo Credit: SCSU Athletic Communications

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