Villanova softball competed in the Charlotte Invitational from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15. The ‘Cats faced Virginia Tech, Charlotte and Michigan State. The Wildcats lost all four of their games, extending their season-opening losing streak to 10 games.
The Wildcats began the tournament on Friday, Feb. 13, against Virginia Tech, and suffered a 7-3 loss. Villanova freshman pitcher Maggie King pitched five innings, and freshman Carly Zych later came in for relief.
“I think it’s just great for our girls to have that experience,” said head coach Bridget Orchard. “To play Virginia Tech, a top 25 team. It’s hard to take the losses, but I think we’re getting better every time.”
In the fifth inning, senior second baseman Lilly St. Jean hit a two-run home run, the tenth of her Villanova career, to get the ‘Cats on the scoreboard.
In the bottom of the seventh, freshman infielder Katie Reed posted her first RBI of her Villanova career to score senior outfielder Madison Ostrowski. This brought the score to its final of 7-3.
On Friday afternoon, the Wildcats played Charlotte in a five-inning game and lost, 11-0. Senior pitcher Kat Gallant pitched the majority of the game before being relieved by sophomore pitcher Lexi Kobryn.
At the beginning of the game, Villanova loaded the bases off of three walks but did not manage to score a run. In the top of the third, the ‘Cats loaded the bases again but once again did not score.
Charlotte won the run-ruled game by scoring three runs in the final two innings.
“We definitely got better as the weekend got on, we hit some more home runs, we scored more runs,” said Orchard. “I think that was big for our hitters just to start seeing the ball.”
On Saturday, Feb. 14, the ‘Cats played Virginia Tech again. Kobryn started four innings, walking two and giving up seven runs. The final score was 11-3.
Villanova got the first runs in the top of the second inning. Junior outfielder Elizabeth Gray and senior second baseman Maddie Burrows both hit singles, allowing sophomore catcher Ava Mahnken and freshman second baseman Aubrey Police to score.
On Saturday afternoon, the ‘Cats lost to Michigan State, 9-8.
King started again, and pitched two innings during which she walked two and gave up two runs on four hits.
Losing 2-0 in the third inning, the Wildcats tied the game on junior pitcher Maranda Runco and sophomore infielder Jaclyn Morra’s RBI singles.
In the top of the fifth, Reed hit a grand slam, giving Villanova its first lead of the tournament.
Michigan St. led again in the bottom of the sixth, when St. Jean hit a two-run home run to make the score, 9-8.
“This is what’s going to help us get ready, come spring,” said Orchard. “It’s tough when we’re going through right now. But in the end, it does help us. It gets better, we’re learning.”
The final game on Sunday, Feb. 15, against Charlotte was cancelled due to foul weather.
The Wildcats will travel to Boca Raton, Florida, next weekend to compete in the FAU Paradise Classic against Massachusetts, Kansas, Florida Atlantic and Southern Indiana. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. It will be streamed on ESPN+.
