Galati leads way for Hofstra softball

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After falling one win shy of reaching the College Softball World Series last season and finishing with an overall record of 42-15, including 22-0 against Colonial Athletic Association rivals, Hofstra entered 2013 ranked among the top 25 teams in the country.

And though the Pride got off to a rocky start, winning just three of its first 10 games, and will be without All-Region centerfielder Rachael Senatore for the year due to injury, head coach Bill Edwards still has one of the nation’s premier pitchers at his disposal in senior Olivia Galati.

In leading Hofstra to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals, Galati became the only first-team All-America selection in program history. She led all Division I hurlers in ERA (0.95) while becoming the first 30-game winner in school history, going 34-7 with three saves, 378 strikeouts and only 26 walks. “Olivia’s an elite pitcher and player without a doubt, and we’re leaning on her more than ever,” Edwards said. “She’s as talented as anyone we’ve ever had. She has incredible command and a tremendous competitive spirit.”

The three-time CAA Pitcher of the Year who also drove in 37 runs and batted .345 will handle nearly all of the workload, though Edwards is looking for sophomore Bella Corrao, a transfer from Virginia Tech and former standout at Farmingdale High School, and freshman Victoria Cabral to “pick up innings somewhere along the way.”

Galati is working with a new battery mate — sophomore Erin Trippi — after the departure of Courtney Crews. Trippi, an All-Region selection who batted .280 with 31 RBIs and 20 runs scored in her first collegiate season, is fitting in nicely, Edwards said. The Pride also has depth behind the plate in the form of freshmen Maggie Hawkins and Caryn Bailey. “Erin’s a key for us as a receiver and a hitter,” Edwards said. “Olivia has tremendous confidence in her, and they enjoy working together.”

All-Region returnee Tessa Ziemba, a senior, has made a smooth transition from right field to center to fill the void created by Senatore’s season-ending injury. Senatore’s absence in the lineup is “huge,” Edwards said, since she served as the catalyst from the leadoff spot and hit a team-leading .364 with 38 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. Ziemba was the primary cleanup hitter a year ago and came through with 11 homers, a team-leading 45 RBIs, a .316 batting average, and a .575 slugging percentage. “I knew she’d be fine in center,” Edwards said of Ziemba. “She’s got a great arm and has already made some phenomenal catches.” Bailey has earned the bulk of playing time in right, while senior D.J. Slugh, junior Ashley Ainbinder and freshman Chloe Fitzgerald are contributing in left.

The middle of the infield is one of the strongest parts of the team, both offensively and defensively, Edwards noted. Senior shortstop Becca Bigler comes off a breakout campaign that saw her crack 11 home runs, drive in 34 runs, score 41 times and hit .309 en route to All-CAA honors. Bigler and Ziemba tied for the CAA lead in homers. At second base, junior Tori Rocha is off to a torrid start with the bat after hitting .275 last season.

Senior Jess Hirschbuhl’s athleticism and reliable hands has her holding down the fort at third base, while senior Nicole Osovski and Hawkins are both seeing time at first. Osovski is one of the Pride’s best defenders. She posted a 985 fielding percentage in 2012. Hawkins, meanwhile, was hitting .360 through the first 10 games and will get at-bats as a designated or pinch hitter when Osovski’s in the field.

Hofstra was ranked No. 1 in the CAA in the preseason, but Edwards is expecting stiff challenges from James Madison and Georgia State.

“We have to be consistent with our play, our level of concentration and our level of energy,” he said.

Hofstra will play its first home games of the season against Central Connecticut State and the University of Connecticut at its annual Invitational Tournament on March 16-17.