By ANTHONY PUCIK
The Fordham softball team had just won its second Atlantic 10 title in three seasons when they entered into the new season, and when projections came out this season, the Rams were projected to win it again this year.
It is obvious why this team is projected to win the A-10 again. It is returning six of the nine starters from its championship team, four of whom were All-Conference players a year ago. Junior Kayla Lombardo, senior Elise Fortier and senior Gabby Luety earned 2013 First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors. Lombardo was third on the team with 39 RBI, Fortier broke the A-10 and Fordham single season record for home runs with 20 and Luety hit .351 with 13 home runs and 51 RBI. Junior Michele Daubman earned Second Team All-Conference and was the fourth Ram to earn All-Conference honors. She led the team with 18 wins, 111 strikeouts and 174.1 innings pitched.
The Rams also have brought in some new talent to help bolster their already impressive squad. One example is Lauren Quense, who has already received A-10 Rookie of the Week honors this season. Even with her early success, transitioning to the college game was not easy. “My biggest struggle has been the speed of the game,” she said. “At this level it’s so much quicker, and you have to play so much smarter.”
Thus far, the team is 7-12 on the season. But, do not let that record fool you: The Rams have participated in four different tournaments in four different states against extremely tough competition. They started the season well in Florida at the UCF Knights Invitational, winning two of their first three games. They had similar success in the College of Charleston Classic, winning three out of five games against some of the most difficult competition they will face all year.
Quense picked up her first even win there in a complete game shutout. She even drove in the game-winning run to secure a 1-0 victory over Western Carolina. “The season has been interesting,” she said. “We’ve played a very tough schedule these first couple of weeks, but it has been so much fun. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
The competition got even tougher at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in California. The Rams lost all five games but managed to push number six ranked Oregon to the brink in a 3-2 loss. This weekend, the Rams went 2-4 in Florida at the Diamond 9 College Citrus Classic, with two of the losses coming to top-ranked Florida and 23rd ranked Notre Dame.
Despite a losing record through 19 games, this season looks bright for the Rams. Lombardo, Fortier, Luety and Daubman give the team the veteran leadership it needs to succeed, while young performers like Quense fill the holes that the graduating class left.
The Rams are ready to live up to the expectations. “This team is definitely going to be great,” Quense said. “Being picked to win the A-10 is an honor, but we are taking it game by game to defend the title. Hopefully our determination, focus and hard work will lead us to another ring.”
Retaining the title of champion is difficult in any sport, but Fordham has shown that it can play tough against some of the best teams in the nation. If the Rams keep up this up, they will do very well in conference play. With the advantage of having the Atlantic 10 tournament at home this year, Fordham has a good chance of getting three A-10 tournament wins in four years.
Anthony Pucik is Assistant Sports Editor at The Fordham Ram.
