Senior infielder Kayla Tauber returns to first base after a single during the game against Fordham, April 9. PHOTOS: MADELINE WILLIAMS ’26/THE HAWK
Despite having a smaller roster this year, with only four pitchers, 10 position players and three players out with injuries, St. Joe’s softball refuses to slack this spring season.
The Hawks started their game against the University of Rhode Island April 5 by scoring nine runs in the first inning, the most runs in an inning in three years, and their game total of 14 runs is the most runs in a game since 2022.
The team also hasn’t had a season of .500 or above since 2022. Currently 21-19, and 10-7 in Atlantic 10 conference play, the Hawks are having one of their best starts in recent years.
Gina McCool, head coach since May 2023 and in her sixth season overall with St. Joe’s, said what has really helped the team is keeping composure.
“This team, team 43, is a very special one because they bought into each other,” McCool said. “They care about each other a lot. They want to do it for each other.”
Senior utility player Sierra Fretz transferred to St. Joe’s from the University of Albany at the end of her sophomore year in 2023. Fretz said the team helped make the transition into St. Joe’s athletics, academics and social situations easy.
“Every single person on this team, whether they’re sitting the bench, or whether they’re injured and they can’t play or whether they’re on the field, they want to be in that moment to have success, and we all want to hoist that [A-10] Championship trophy up in May,” Fretz said.
Hawks softball alum have seen it, too, Fretz said about the way the team’s camaraderie has helped lead to a larger mindset shift of “look[ing] like [they] want to win.”
The team’s focus on continued growth has also led to individual milestones this season. Senior utility player Hailey Malito reached her 100th career hit with a home run against Monmouth March 26.
“My biggest preparation was the confidence that my teammates were bringing me,” Malito said.
McCool said Malito’s progression is a product of “four years of her work being put in.”
“She’s a great example of college athletics, of growing, working hard in the weight room, building and practicing and grinding to perfect [her] craft in hitting and her swing,” McCool said.
Malito wasn’t the only player to reach 100 career hits this season. A little over a week later, Fretz also achieved the milestone with a home run in the second inning against Drexel April 2.
Fretz said without the support system of the coaching staff she wouldn’t have been able to “play free” and “without any fear.”
McCool said as the intensity picks up in the season, the team is focusing on one game at a time.
“Wisdom and that experience will really pull us through this part of the season and prepare us to be playing some of our best softball in May,” McCool said. “That’s what we are all striving for.”