By Dillon Flanigan
Sports Editor
First baseman Dominique DeLituri, a senior, poses with her sister pitcher Giselle, a freshman, on media day.
To some people, a number is just a number, however, for pitcher Giselle DeLutri, a freshman, the number four is more than just a number.
Giselle has worn the number four every year except a year in high school and this season with the Owls. With the number four off limits because of her sister wearing, it first basemen Dominique, a senior, she chose to wear the number 18.
“I’ve always been number four, like, she didn’t even take it for me in high school ball, like, I had number four because she wanted me to have it. And I have always been called number four,” Giselle said.
With leagues few and far between, the older two DeLutri sisters did not play softball until they were 12 years old and when they did, they faced obstacles.
Giselle, who was in eigth grade in the spring of 2020, was originally slated to join her sister Dominique on their high school team, Wellington C. Mepham, in North Bellmore, New York. With the infamous Coronavirus pandemic cancelling the spring season, they took the field a year later winning the 2021 Long Island Championship.
“The most memorable moment I had playing, which would be winning the Long Island championship,” Dominique said. “In the last inning when she struck out the last batter, her running towards me and the whole team just gathering around, just jumping up and down, was definitely a highlight of my softball career.”
Living on cloud nine, Dominique headed to the university. Giselle and even the youngest sister, Vanessa, who also played softball, navigated life without the eldest by their side.
“I always depended on her and she was always there right by my side,” Giselle said. “It was just a great experience to have her there, because it was someone who understood me, knew how I play and knew how I am when I pitched.”
When Dominique was playing for the Owls, Giselle who was looking to play college softball wanted to carve her own path. Searching more for DI schools, she had offers to go to that level, but nothing worked out. Keeping the highest level of competition and living an easier athlete lifestyle in mind, after an injury lost season as a senior, she eventually committed to the university.
“I didn’t want to resort to Southern knowing that my sister was here,” Giselle said. “Coach Rispoli made it happen and now Coach Kate is having it happen right now. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The freshman, who was just named to the All-NE10 Rookie Team, had an impressive debut on March 4, with 15 strikeouts against Bloomfield College. This gave a nod to Owl’s ace Ashley Lewis, a junior, who threw back-to-back no hitters early was named to the All-NE10 Third team.
“I had a lot of anxiety. It’s very nerve wracking having to come in just as a freshman. Ashley Lewis in front of me, she’s an amazing pitcher and an amazing person,” Giselle said. “She gives me the confidence boost that I’m going to do good. She tells me how the mound is and how the umpire is and she’s just a great teammate to have in front of me and to look up to as a pitcher. And I wouldn’t change it any other way.”
