A 12-10 win in the first game of the season is an impressive accomplishment for any team. For a team in its very first year of existence, it becomes even more impressive.
The College's club softball team, in its first season ever, defeated Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The Rutgers team regularly plays competitive club softball teams from big Division I schools.
The president of the team, Christine Brower, began planning to start up a team in the spring of 2003.
"I was playing intramural softball but I wanted to play more competitively," Brower said.
The playing experience for the girls on the College's club team and on opposing club teams varies.
Some have been playing softball their entire lives and are looking to continue their playing careers without the stress and demand of a varsity sport while others have never played before.
"On our team there are some girls who played all their lives and a few seem like they don't have a lot of experience," freshman pitcher Christine Sciarra said.
Sciarra helped lead the team to a win over Rutgers with not only her pitching but her offensive skills as well. The game was highlighted by Sciarra's starting pitching performance as well has her homerun.
"I tried out for the varsity team and didn't make it," Sciarra said. "I really missed softball and I was so happy to hear that a fastpitch club softball team was being started so I figured that was the next best thing."
There are about 25 girls on the team, but only 15 players can suit up for a game. Because of the relaxed atmosphere of the team, players can contribute as much or as little time as they want. However, a player's dedication will be reflected in the starting lineup.
"We base our decisions on who gets to come to games by how often they attend practices or fundraisers," Sciarra said.
The team is coached by two volunteers, Joe Sondey and and Vinnie Gironda. They are both students here at the College.
"They take their time to help us out and it's all volunteer," Brower said. "They live on my floor and are just really into baseball so they wanted to help."
This past weekend the team traveled to Washington, D.C. to take on Georgetown University.
The team looks forward to tournaments in West Virginia and Delaware, in addition to one organized by Brower to take place on the team's home field on Geen Lane on April 25. Penn State University, Georgetown and Rutgers will all be competing.
