Villanova softball competed in the Buzz Classic from Feb. 5-7, on the road in Atlanta, GA. The Wildcats faced Alabama, Georgia Tech and East Carolina. Villanova ultimately was 0-6 in the tournament.
The ‘Cats kicked off competition early on Thursday, Feb. 5, facing No. 16 Alabama. Losing, 17-0, Villanova only got on base twice. Senior utility Kendall Spivey and freshman Katie Reed both walked.
Two freshmen, Maggie King and Carly Zych, made their debuts on the mound after senior Kat Gallant walked two, struck out two and gave up 10 runs to the Crimson Tide.
Later that afternoon, the Wildcats fell, 8-0, to Georgia Tech. Sophomore pitcher Lexi Kobryn pitched five innings, striking out two, walking three and giving up five runs off seven hits. Senior second baseman Lilly St. Jean secured the only hit of the game. The Yellow Jackets won on a sacrifice fly ball and loaded bases.
Despite both losses, Villanova head coach Bridget Orchard purposefully scheduled difficult games at the beginning of the year to prepare the team for the season. Rather than discouraging the team, battling strong teams early on allows the Wildcats to refine their skills before conference play.
“There’s always a risk, but that’s kind of why as a coach I put them in [that] situation,” Orchard said.
On Friday, Feb. 6, the ‘Cats lost,1-0, to ECU and 8-0 to Georgia Tech. Against ECU, Gallant struck out three, walked one and gave up one run. Kobryn pitched to start the sixth inning, walking one and striking out one with no hits.
At the bottom of the sixth, Villanova managed to put two runners on base with freshman second baseman Aubrey Police’s walk and freshman outfielder Jacquelyn Cox, who got her first collegiate hit.
Against Georgia Tech, junior pitcher Maranda Runco started by walking four and giving up six runs off three hits. The Yellow Jackets took a dominant lead quickly, scoring six runs in the bottom of the second inning. Zych relieved Runco and ended the inning without giving up any hits.
King later subbed in for the bottom of the fourth, pitching a scoreless inning ahead of Georgia Tech, securing the win.
The ‘Cats improved throughout the tournament, focusing on defense to decrease the number of runs given up.
“Game by game, we got better,” Orchard said. “The first game actually helped us. I thought we were getting better each day.”
On Saturday morning, Villanova faced ECU again and lost, 11-4.
Kobryn started with four walks, one strikeout and gave up four runs on three hits. She was followed in the circle by Gallant, King and Mount.
Behind the plate, the Wildcats scored their first run of the season from sophomore infielder Jaclyn Morra’s homerun, the second of her collegiate career.
In the fourth inning, Villanova scored three more times. Senior outfielder Maddison Ostrowski hit a double, following sophomore catcher Ava Mahnken scoring on a passed ball. The final run was scored by St. Jean off a fielder’s choice.
That afternoon, the ‘Cats again faced Alabama and showed improvement from the first game. Villanova lost, 9-3, closing the gap by 11 runs from Thursday.
Despite the Wildcats not winning in their opening tournament, it was a stepping stone towards learning how to practice and play for future games.
“Softball’s a tough game, because they can have a great at-bat and get out [or] they can have a bad at-bat and get on base,” Orchard said. “Go out, play your best, learn from it.”
Villanova will travel to North Carolina next weekend to take on Virginia Tech, Charlotte and Michigan State. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13. It will be streamed on ESPN+.
