A disappointing end for Mercy Softball who fell in the knockout round of the ECC Tournament missing the opportunity of playing in the championship game.
The team played with heart all season long and have shown great success on the field when it comes to the game being on the line as a complete unit. This group has supported each other through the wins and losses by the growth of the women being role models for one another.
Softball’s lack of failed attempts at winning a game in the ECC Tournament has fueled the team this season to accomplish the goal of being conference champions. Coach Lorenzo has prepared her team every season to improve on important skills that were not beneficial to the team in previous seasons.
Lorenzo, Mercy Softball Head Coach, acknowledges the team’s communication is the key factor to having a better season and winning conference play to make the NCAA Tournament.
“The dynamic of this team is going to be based on how well we communicate on the field that will help us improve on the goals for the season ahead,” said Coach Lorenzo.
Mercy Softball returns 12 players from last season and added seven freshmen along with one transfer to fill out the roster this season after losing a small group of players to graduation. The team entered the fall working a lot of pitching, fielding and continuing to hit the ball which they led the conference in batting last season.
Coach Lorenzo got the group together to become more comfortable with each other by creating bonding activities to get her players on the same place and using the skills on the field. The team check in with each other making sure that they were following schedules and practicing on the field.
Coach Lorenzo credits the team’s growth on communication from the fall has continued to improve on the field in the games during the spring season.
“When the team and I met in the fall, the goal was to be more connected as a unit and I have seen the skill flourish from this group early in the season,” said Coach Lorenzo.
The leadership from the returners has helped the newcomers adjust to the system quicker and allowing them to have the mindset of winning games. The newcomers have been taken under the wings by the returners who have built the chemistry around them off the field.
The captains have been more vocal on the field this season and continue to push the team to work hard by leading them with the mentality of being great every day.
Mercy Softball has a tradition for players dressing up in costumes based on holiday themes which allows the group to show off their personality. The team uses this trend as a motivation on the field to make them feel engaged and focused on winning every game this spring season.
Senior captain outfielder, Victoria Seppala opens about the team’s bonding and having fun on the field will make the improvement for the group better this season.
“Our group is very close and as a captain it’s my job to be leader on the field, so we are playing our best ball against the competition for the rest of the season,” said Victoria.
The importance of conference play for Mercy Softball is the focus of the program to have a series advantage against the opponents for good seeding in the playoffs.
Softball every year travels to Florida to begin the season against high profile competition that will prepare them for conference play in April. The team is able to learn from their strengths and weaknesses in those games which they work on back in New York to improve against local teams.
The team in the last seasons have finished fourth in the standings and wants to improve this year as a top three team in the conference to have advantages in the tournament. The goal for this team remains winning the conference tournament and getting a bid in the NCAA tournament to extend their season.
Senior utility player captain, Madilyn Lula talks about how the team plans to perform this season and accomplish the goal bringing home the conference title to Dobbs Ferry.
“The communication on the field from us has been improving every day and we have continued to lock in for games so far as the season progress, “said Madilyn.
Mercy Softball, 12-14 (ECC 3-3) are currently riding a one-game winning streak while sitting in fourth place of the ECC Conference standings. The team looks to extend the streak in their final three game stand at home with a two-game series against Dominican University trying to make a move in the standings.
Mercy leads the conference in pitching at 3.50 era per game. Senior pitcher, Skylar Brandemarte leads the conference in pitching at 1.71 era per game and leads the team in 56 total knockouts. Sophomore second base, Allison Murphy leads the team in batting, total hits and second base attempts at .346 per game, 27 hits total and 9 base attempts this season.
Sophomore Shortstop/Utility player, Averi Miller leads the team in 16 RBI totals and 52 total assists. Senior Utility player, Madilyn Lula leads the team at 135 total for putouts.
