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

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Weather (right now):

Delaware State University, Dover, DE 
THIS SATURDAY MORNING: Rain! 43 degrees! (Feels like 36 degrees!)
 

Forecast:
 

Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA TOMORROW, SUNDAY GAME TIME: Partly sunny! 50- 55 degrees! (Feeling like 50- 53 degrees!)

Friday, February 22, 2013

Hornets contribute...
Players off the field, out of classroom, 
volunteer their time to community service
 

Besides busy schedules with classes, homework, and softball, many Hornets find time for giving back with volunteer work. You will find them involved with Special Olympics, beach clean ups, local charities, assisting senior citizens, church activities, hometown sports, and more. Here are just a few of those who serve their communities.
 

#10 Kelsey Doherty (Harbeson, De) has volunteered time with the Special Olympics, elementary school field days and church day care... #8 Samantha Gross (Glasgow, De) has volunteered time with the Special Olympics, American Cancer Society and Middletown Senior Center... #3 Stephanie Martello (Oxnard, Calif) has volunteered time with the Ventura Beach Community Cleanup ... #4 Rachel Meagley (Spokane, Wash) has volunteered time as a vacation bible school teacher as well as work with the Union Gospel Mission... #5 Jordan Stamps (Torrance, Calif) has volunteer time for North Torrance Girls Softball League. 

Left to right, Kelsey Doherty, Samantha Gross, Stephanie Martello, Rachel Meagley, Jordan Stamps
Here comes softball! 
Hornets' first game 
on NSU softball field

The Norfolk State University Softball Field (Norfolk, Va) is a great venue for the DSU Hornets to open the softball season! First pitch is tossed at noon on Sunday, February 24.


NSU softball field
The field for the Hornets' scheduled Sunday and Monday games has bleacher seating for 500 fans and is wheelchair accessible. It provides cinder block home and visitors’ dugouts with bathrooms in both dugouts. The elevated press box serves as the main office for both softball coaches.

An 8-foot permanent fence encircles the outfield and is 200 feet from home plate down the lines and to straight-away center field. An enclosed batting cage is located on the third-base side of the facility. A pitchers’ warm-up area sits in front of a large lighted scoreboard beyond the left-field fence.

CLICK HERE for directions to Norfolk State University Softball field (South Campus Drive, Norfolk, VA)



Thursday, February 21, 2013

Season opens on Sunday... 
NORFOLK, VA, TOURNAMENT IS ON, 
GAMES SCHEDULED SUNDAY, MONDAY 

A rainy Saturday forecast has pushed opening day to Sunday, February 24, at the NSU Spartan Clash Tournament, Norfolk, Va. 


Game times...

Sunday, Feb. 24
12 p.m. Delaware State Hornets vs. Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights 
  2 p.m. Delaware State Hornets vs. Monmouth University Hawks

Monday, Feb. 25
11 a.m. Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights vs. Delaware State Hornets

IMPORTANT:
These times could change again depending on when the rain stops in Norfolk. 


Fans, parents, friends that attend the tournament, as well as coaches and players, please send photos (or videos, messages, etc.) from or about the games to DSUsoftball@gmail.com to be posted at this blog. Send anything. Everything welcome!


 The DSU Softball Facebook page is at  www.facebook.com/DSUSoftball


 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Hornets fired up! 
Cheering on
DSU softball
 

#5 Jordan Stamps
Good luck this weekend to all the ladies and lets start off the season with some wins on your road to WINNING the MEAC Title this year!!!

A special Good Luck to Jordan Stamps!! We are all so proud of you and wish we could be there to see all of your games but we will be following them online all the way over here in California!!! Go get em!! Do Work!!

GO HORNETS!!!!!

Gary, Nancy, and Garrick Fong
Torrance, CA

___________________

The DSU Softball Blog welcomes support for the team in words, photos, video, etc. from fans, parents, family, and friends. Please send your comments and/or digital materials to dsusoftball@gmail.com.

Weather changing schedule?

This message posted by Coach Savage on DSU Softball Facebook page... 

Click here for AccuWeather.com
Hornets sting! 
Pumped up for a 
power weekend!
 


To the young ladies of DSU softball, Good Luck in the classroom and on the field. DSU Softball "ROCKS". The Fan.
 

Play Hard.... Play smart...... Win!!!..... It's what we do!!!!........ 3000 miles away but there with you in spirit!!!!.......... GO DSU!!! Grandpa Dan
 

Quote: "Somewhere behind the athlete you've become, the hours of practice, the coaches who push you, and the fans who cheer for you, is the little girl who fell in love with the sport and never looked back. Play for her." Linda Lewis/ New York
 __________


Many thanks to those who sent their cheers and encouragement. The DSU Softball Blog welcomes support for the team in words, photos, video, etc. from fans, parents, family, and friends. Please send your comments and/or digital materials to dsusoftball@gmail.com.
 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Weekend preview
Looking ahead to 
Saturday's opponents

The Delaware State University Hornets will open the season on Saturday against two talented teams, both of whom enjoyed winning seasons last year and show up this year with stand-out returning players.

The Hornets, of course, are picked to win their second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division championship with many newcomers listed among their outstanding balance of East Coast players and a growing contingent of West Coast players.


Saturday's, February 23, game times are...

9 a.m. Delaware State Hornets vs. Monmouth University Hawks
1 p.m. Delaware State Hornets vs. Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights


Venue: NSU Spartan Clash Tournament on the Norfolk State University softball field on the south side of the campus (700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA).


A Sunday (2/24) doubleheader amongst these same teams also will conclude the tournament.


Here's a brief look at who the Hornets will meet on the field...

Monmouth Hawks

The Monmouth Hawks are projected to finished fourth in the Northeast Conference coaches poll.

The Hawks are regrouping from a 24-20 season. Last year, Monmouth boasted league-leading statistics with a .440 slugging percentage and 37 home runs.


The Hawks return reigning NEC Player of the Year junior Kaitie Schumacher. who accumulated a .391 batting average (.421 BA in conference), tallied nine home runs (five in NEC play), and 34 RBIs (16 in conference play).

Returning senior Christine Scherr led the team with 10 home runs, 52 hits, and 32 runs. Sophomore Vanessa Cardoza racked up 23 RBIs, 37 hits and 74 assists returns for Monmouth at third base.

Seniors Lauren Sulick and Jordan Barnett return to the mound for Monmouth. Sulick posted a 2.76 ERA in 119.1 innings pitched over 27 appearances, compiling a 13-8 record. Barnett pitched 75.1 innings in 22 appearances

Fairleigh Dickinson Knights


The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights are projected to finish 11th n the 2013 Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Knights ended the 2012 campaign with an overall record of 30-20. The Knights ranked high on the NEC leaderboard in several categories, including first in batting average, hits, RBI and doubles, while being one of five NEC teams to finish above .500 overall. The Knights recorded the fourth-highest number of overall wins in the conference.


Sophomore pitcher Megan Reiner set five program records as a freshman last season, including wins (18), strikeouts (170) and batting average against (.171). She led FDU in all major pitching categories, ranked fourth in the NEC with a 2.00 ERA and pitched eight complete conference games with one shutout.
 

Reiner's pitching success will complement the strong senior leadership of Mikayla Fernandez, Maire Shaughnessy and Liz Woidt and sophomore Cindy Zamudio, who maintained the highest batting average of returning players and struck out just four times in 164 at bats last season.

Monday, February 18, 2013

ONLINE PEP RALLY
HORNET FANS, PARENTS, FRIENDS...
 

Please send CHEERS in brief (or lengthy) encouraging WORDS about this weekend's first games of the 2013 season!  If available, include PHOTOS, GRAPHICS,  VIDEOS, etc.  

E-mail to dsusoftball@gmail.com for POSTING RIGHT HERE AT THE DSU SOFTBALL BLOG. Please include name and hometown.

Don't be shy. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. Shoutout your Hornet pride!
 

Will YOU get it started? Let's go Hornets!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Less than
Two weeks away: 
Florida sunshine! 

Start packing. It is less than two weeks away. The University of North Florida (UNF), Jacksonville, Florida, hosts the Delaware State Hornets, Princeton and St. Bonaventure in the Third Annual Osprey Invitational.  Each team plays two games on both Friday and Saturday, with Saturday's second game being seeded. On Sunday, a consolation game and a championship game takes place.
  
Third Annual Osprey Invitational
March 1-3, 2013 - UNF Softball Complex
 
 
Friday, March 1
UNF softball complex

10:00 a.m. - St. Bonaventure vs. Princeton
12:30 p.m. - Delaware State Hornets 

                        vs. St. Bonaventure

3:00 p.m.
- Princeton vs. UNF

5:30 p.m. - UNF vs. Delaware State Hornets



Saturday, March 2

10 a.m. - Delaware State Hornets vs. Princeton

12:30 p.m. -
UNF vs. St. Bonaventure

3:00 p.m. - No. 2 Seed vs. No. 3 Seed  
5:30 p.m. - No. 1 Seed vs. No. 4 Seed 

Sunday, March 3


10:00 a.m.
- Consolation Game
12:30 p.m. - Championship Game

Friday, February 15, 2013

Scrimmage: 2/ 15/ 2013
Delaware State Hornets vs.
Wesley College Wolverines

Click on arrow below for slide show of 50+ photos. If slide show does not appear below (sometimes it does not!), please try refreshing page, which may be required to do several times. If all else fails, try this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/104968683122714579828/February162013?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Scroll down further for collages of photos.














Season opens in Norfolk,
next weekend, Feb 23, 24

The 2013 Delaware State University Hornets' season opens in eight days with four weekend games, Saturday & Sunday, February 23 & 24. First pitch will be tossed at the NSU Spartan Clash Tournament on the Norfolk State University softball field on the south side of the campus (700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA).

Game times are...

Saturday, Feb. 23 

9 a.m. Delaware State Hornets vs. Monmouth University Hawks 
1 p.m. Delaware State Hornets vs. Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights

Sunday, Feb. 24 

9 a.m. Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights vs. Delaware State Hornets 
11 a.m. Monmouth University Hawks vs. Delaware State Hornets
 

Then, the following weekend, it's the Third Annual Osprey Invitational, March 1-3, in Jacksonville, Florida!
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Head Coach Janice Savage
Three high school standouts 
commit early to the Hornets

"This is a very exciting time for the Delaware State softball program," declares Head Coach Janice Savage.


It definitely is that -- and more!  The team is forecast to win the MEAC Northern Division championship. It is loaded with returning and new freshman talent. Plus, early signings promise great success for the future.

Meet three new Hornets for next year's 2014 season...


1. “EXTREMELY TALENTED”: Pitcher Tara Tursellino (Rancho Verde, Cal.), an ESPN All-America nominee, MVP of Inland Valley (Cal.) League and First Team All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) as a junior.

Tara Tursellino
Tara recorded 171 strikeouts in 14 league games and ranked ninth among California high school players with 278 strikeouts.
"Tara is an extremely talented pitcher who comes from tremendous high school and summer ball programs," Savage said.


2. “ OUTSTANDING COMPLEMENT”: Pitcher Vanessa Ciacatto (La Habra, Cal.) who helped lead La Habra to three Freeway League (Cal.) championships (2012-12).


In 2012, she led the league in every major pitching category, posting a 22-7 overall record with 142 strikeouts and 2.21 earned run average.

"Vanessa should be an outstanding complement to our pitching staff," said Savage. 

"She is a hard worker who continues to improve. I'm really excited to see the growth she makes this season."


3. “FIRE AND EXCITEMENT": Infielder/utility Danielle Velez (Ayala, Cal.), a four-year varsity letter winner, is a 2012 All-Sierra League (Cal.) Second Team selection.

In 2010, she helped lead her team to a CIF championship and fourth place finish in Premier Girls Fastpitch.

"Dani is a scrappy player who seems to always get on base. She has a tremendous work ethic and great heart. I can't wait for her to bring the fire and excitement she has about the game of softball to our team,” Savage said.


“Not only are these newcomers talented on the field, but solid in the classroom and very hard workers” Savage added.

CLICK HERE for the full story.

Rochelle Sablay
                                                                                          ____________________

Committed players to reunite with 

travel ball friends as 2014 Hornets

Hornet freshman #22 Rochelle Sablay (catcher, infielder/ undeclared) and Vanessa Ciacatto, 
incoming pitcher for the 2014 season, played the game together last summer as SoCal Wicked 18 Gold teammates.

Wicked is a class "A" fastpitch softball organization, based out of La Habra, California. 

Chloe Oro (left) & Jordan Stamps (right)
Meanwhile, both Hornets' freshmen #15 Chloe Oro (utility/ sociology major) and #5 Jordan Stamps (utility/ movement science major) will teamed up next year with infielder/utility Danielle Velez. The trio have played together on the club ball circuit with the SoCal Strikkers 18 Gold.

Strikkers are a showcase fastpitch softball team, based out of Westminster, California.
  LOVE SOFTBALL. Today. Everyday...

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

DE, MD, NY players
round out 2013 roster

West Coast provides plenty of talent for the DSU Lady Hornets, but the East Coast also will more than make their presence known in this certain to be exciting upcoming 2013 season! Many are right from the local Delaware diamonds, too. Five are pictured here.

Roots in MD/ DE...

#17 Nkili Matthews (bottom left) comes from Waldorf, MD, just across the bay. She is a Freshman/ utility, majoring in Physics who plans to pursue a bio-engineering career ... #8 Samantha Gross (top left) with her hometown of Glasgow, DE, is a Junior/ infielder, pitcher, majoring in Mathematics Education ... #10 Kelsey Doherty (bottom right) hails from Harbeson, DE. She is a Sophomore/ utility, majoring in Elementary Special Education with a minor in coaching ... #24 Jennifer Fischbach, Freshman/ utility, arrives from across town in nearby Camden, DE ... #18 Ashley Bennett, Freshman/ infielder calls Delmar, DE, home.

New York contingent...

#23 Kelsey Lewis (top right) travels back to Mt. Sinai, NY, whenever she can catch a school break. She is a Senior/ infielder, majoring in Early Childhood Education ... #2 Sandy Hawthorne is a Smithtown, NY, resident. She is a Freshman/ utility ... #6 Nicole Gazzolla is of Coram, NY. She is a Freshman/ utility.

Jennifer Fischbach connects with a pitch during last 2012 fall season

A West Coast crew steps
to the Hornet Nest's plate

There are seven Californians on the 2013 DSU Lady Hornet's roster this year. Five of the seven pictured here are Freshman.

They will make their first appearance in a home game at the Hornet's Nest softball field, Dover, DE, after a long trip south, when Delaware State University takes on North Carolina Central, Thursday, March 14.

These players from the pacific time zone are...

#22 Rochelle Sablay (top left) from La Mirada, Freshman/ catcher, infielder, is an Undeclared major ... #5 Jordan Stamps (top center) from Torrence, Freshman/ utility, is a Movement Science major .... #3 Stephanie Martello (top right) from Oxnard, Freshman/ infield, is a Psychology major ... #16 Miranda Pedersen from Segundo (bottom left), Freshman/ first base, is an Undeclared major ... #15 Chloe Oro from San Pedro (bottom center), Freshman/ utility, is a Sociology major ... #7 Stephanie Sarris from Rohnert Park (bottom right), Junior/ pitcher, is an English Education major ...

Rachel Meagley

Not pictured is #1 Jessica Madrid from Santa Ana, Freshman/ outfielder.

Not to be forgotten, there's also #4 Rachel Meagley, a Junior/ pitcher who hails from Spokane, Washington.

__________________
CLICK HERE for related story about three early California commitments for the 2014 season.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013


HORNETS PICKED TO REPEAT AS
MEAC NORTH SOFTBALL CHAMPS

Stephanie Martello
The Delaware State University Hornets are picked to win their second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division championship during the 2013 season, according to a poll of league head coaches and sports information representatives.

The 2013 Hornets will feature 11 newcomers and just four key players from last year's squad. 

Topping the list of DSU returners is infielder Stephanie Martello (jr.; Oxnard, Cal.), who batted .339 with team highs of five home runs and 32 runs batted in last season. Delaware State's top returning pitcher is Stephanie Sarris (jr.; Rohnert Park, Cal.). Sarris posted an 8-5 won-loss record and 2.37 earned run average in 2012.

Stephanie Sarris

SEASON OPENS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Delaware State opens the 2013 softball season on Saturday, Feb. 23 in Norfolk, Va. The Hornets begin the season against Monmouth (N.J.) in the Norfolk State Invitational.

The home opener is Thursday, Mar. 14 against North Carolina Central.

CLICK HERE for the FULL STORY at DSU's softball pages. 

CLICK HERE for the MEAC announcement.

Stephanie Martello


Sunday, February 10, 2013

12 DAYS !!

The season is right around the corner ! Everybody has passed their conditioning test and working hard in practice, ready to play. Yesterday we had a successful prospect camp, even with the blizzard that hit the upper east coast. The MEAC preseason picks are in and Delaware State is picked to win the MEAC Northern Division. The team is ready and eager to play in 2 weeks when we head down to Norfolk, VA to start of the season. Along with working hard on the feild the team is preparing for midterms that are coming up this week. Please come out and suport the Lady Hornets this season as we work and play hard for  the MEAC Championship.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013