Your inside access to the Delaware State University softball team. Posts from coaches, players and support staff.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Freshmen Facts: Jordan Casey



#7 Jordan Casey
Fredericksburg,VA
MIF


Favorite Softball Memory?  Playing on the hall of fame stadium field with my teammates.

     What Has Been Your Favorite Part of DSU So Far? Meeting and getting to know other people.

Favorite Food? Chicken

 Favorite Softball Player?  Kaila Hunt

  Favorite Athlete? Dustin Pedroia

 Favorite Movie? G.I. Jane

 What Is Your Dream Vacation? Australia

          If You Had 3 Wishes, What Would They Be? a.        Cure cancer b.  be wealthy and able to provide for my family c.        Reach all of my goals in life

  What Is The Most Interesting Thing/Fun Fact About Your Roommate? Kaleigh drives a mustang.

 What Is Your Dream Career? FBI Special Agent

What Is A Talent You Have?  I can skateboard.

2017 Early Signees

Congratulations to our newest Hornets who signed over the last week. Welcome to the family!!






Alyssa Diaz is a shortstop/outfielder from Fontana, California. She currently attends Montclair High School and plays for Batbusters Mauga. Alyssa will be majoring in Mathematics Education.


Taliyah Miles is a left handed pitcher from Sacramento, California. She is currently attending Sheldon High School. Taliyah currently pitches for the California Grapettes. She will be majoring in Movement Science at DSU.


Vanessa Barron is a 3rd baseman from Bakersfield, California where she attends Stockdale High School. She currently plays for the So Cal Choppers. Vanessa plans on majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology.

We are so excited for all of you to get here next August!!

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving

DSU Softball Team Fall 2016
Thanksgiving is just a few days away and our team is gearing up to celebrate the holiday with their family and friends. This is a time when local players welcome our west coast players into there homes, as they often do not have the opportunity to travel home. We are so thankful to have a group of young women that truly care for each other. They have big hearts for each other and truly exemplify what it means to be family, better yet what it means to be sisters. As we celebrate thanksgiving we have asked the players to share what they are thankful for this year.

"I am grateful for my dreams because they push me to do and accomplish things that I never would have been able to do without them. I am grateful for my family. For my parents who taught me to dream. My siblings who help me realize my dreams. My friends who share my dreams with me. I am grateful for being able to live a healthy successful life and experience things I've never though possible. Finally, I am grateful for meeting so many people who have enriched my life."- Sabrina Quarles OF

"The most important thing I'm thankful for is my family and the love and support they have given me my whole life and I'm also thankful for the opportunity to play D1 softball at DSU and continue my education."- Kaleigh Berry OF

"I am thankful for my family and my health and my friends."- Vanessa Washington C/DH

"I am thankful for my loving family, life long friends, and the opportunities that have been granted to me."- Khaliyah Flournory OF

"I am thankful for my loving and supportive family as well as having the opportunity to play Division 1 softball on the east coast."- Jasmine Melgoza 3B/2B

We also asked our very dedicated graduate assistants what they were thankful for this holiday season. This is what they had to say.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to work with an awesome team."- Coach Simon

"I am most thankful for my family who supports me from so far away and also my friends who keep my life so exhilarating."- Coach Chloe

Thank you so much for your continued support of the Delaware State University Softball Program. We are all very thankful for each and every one of you.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Freshmen Facts: Kaleigh Berry


 #5 Kaleigh Berry
Centreville, VA
OF 


 Favorite Softball Memory?  Winning the Conference championship sophomore year and making it back to the championship junior and senior year.

     What Has Been Your Favorite Part of DSU So Far? Making new friends and meeting such diverse people.

Favorite Food? Steak & Sushi

 Favorite Softball Player?  Shae Braxton

  Favorite Athlete? Odell Beckham Jr.

 Favorite Movie? Finding Nemo

 What Is Your Dream Vacation? Puerto Rico

          If You Had 3 Wishes, What Would They Be? 1. Meet Demi Lovato 2. Have as much money as I could ever want/need­­   3. To have 3 more wishes

     What Is The Most Interesting Thing/Fun Fact About Your Roommate? Jordan has a half sleeve and is quiet on the outside, but low key likes to pretend she is a superstar in the car.

 What Is Your Dream Career? Work for the FBI

What Is A Talent You Have? I can shake my eyes really fast.

2016 Season Wrap Up



This season has been one for the record books! The Hornets had a lot of ups and downs through the season, but persevered through it all together and became a family.


DSU lead the MEAC in most offensive categories such as batting average (.331), slugging percentage (.484), runs scored (286), hits (405), RBI (251), doubles (73), home runs (33) and total bases (591).  Pitching wise, the Hornets rank first in the conference in lowest ERA (3.56), hits allowed (305), runs allowed (186), earned runs allowed (135) and homers allowed (21). The Hornets tied a program best 14 game winning streak set last year and finished (10-1) at home. 



Nicole Gazzola finished her career on a high note earning a spot on the NFCA Second Team Mid- Atlantic Team for the second time in her career. Gazzola set new DSU single-season marks for most hits (89) and runs (63).  Her hits and runs totals also led the MEAC, in addition to tallying a conference-best 37 stolen bases.  Nationally, Gazzola finished with the second highest batting average (.497), whereas her runs and stolen bases per game averages ranked fourth (1.31) and 10th (0.77), respectively. Nicole also received an All-MEAC section for the 4th time in her career. She also became the program leader in hits (292), runs (196) and at bats (667), along with becoming only the second player in Hornet history to eclipse the century mark in stolen bases (101).


Sandy Hawthorne also found herself in the record books this season. She is now the program single season leader in RBI's (65) a record that has held since 2005. On April 6, she became DSU's all-time leader in doubles. She also earned a spot on the All-MEAC 1st team.



Tara Tursellino posted a perfect MEAC record during the regular season to be 8-0. She became the 4th pitcher in program history to amass 300- career strikeouts. Tursellino was also name to the MEAC All-2nd Team.


Chloe Oro lead the NCAA with 0 Strikeouts on the year. Oro also earned All-MEAC 2 Team honors.


 Vanessa Washington earned All-MEAC 2nd Team honors, while Rochelle Sablay earned a spot on the All-MEAC 3rd team.

Nicole Brock (12-5), lead the MEAC in lowest ERA (2.31), along with ranking second in wins (12).  Brock also has allowed the third fewest earned runs (37) in the conference, highlighted by surrendering just seven in MEAC action.  Her conference dominance also included a 0.92 ERA with a 7-1 record. She earned a MEAC Pitcher of the week honor.



Second year Head Coach Amber Jackson earned MEAC Coach of the Year. Jackson lead the Hornets to the highest number of wins in the conference and finished 5 games ahead of second place Norfolk State.


The Hornets finished the season by placing 3rd in the MEAC Tournament in Ormond Beach, Florida. Despite falling short of the ultimate goal, we are very proud of these ladies and are excited for what the next season holds.