Softball eyes for conference championship pennant

The Nicholls State University softball team has been preparing for months for the 2018 season, but the season will start a little bit later than anticipated. The Colonels prepared to play this past weekend in the Lion Classic hosted by Southeastern Louisiana University, but foul weather cancelled the season-opening tournament.

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

Amanda Gianelloni, a junior shortstop from Napoleonville, said the abrupt change to their schedule gives her team more time to prepare.

“I think we’re taking this adversity as an advantage to us to give us a little bit more time to get ready,” Gianelloni said. “Obviously, we’re disappointed because we wanted this season to get started, but I think we’re going to take this by the throat and do what we can to get better over this next week.”

Head coach Angel Santiago spoke similarly about the sudden cancellation of the Lion Classic. “I think it gets the bumps and bruises out of us a little bit from training,” Santiago said. “I think it gives the pitchers just a little bit more time to think about what they want to do to prepare for games.”

EYES ON THE PRIZE

As with most teams, the Colonels are competing for a Southland Conference title, and Gianelloni said all the hard work they do is for that objective.

“I know the biggest goal for us is to come out conference champions. I know we’ve been training ever since we’ve gotten here in August, and me being a leader, that’s what I’ve instilled in the team.”

The team had five players named Preseason All-Southland, with three placed on First Team: junior outfielder and first baseman Kasey Frederick, junior pitcher Megan Landry and sophomore utility player and pitcher Samantha Mracich. Gianelloni and junior catcher and first baseman Veroncia Villafranco made Second Team.

LOOKING AHEAD

Nicholls will open its season Friday in the Black and Gold Tournament in Montgomery, Ala., facing Appalachian State, Fort Wayne, Holy Cross, Akron and Middle Tennessee. The Colonels will be primarily on the road for some time this season, until Swanner Softball Complex is ready for play.