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Villanova softball overcomes early challenges to secure first-ever Big East Championship
Villanova’s breakthrough season established the Wildcats as a team to watch in upcoming softball seasons. (Courtesy: Villanova Athletics)

Villanova softball overcomes early challenges to secure first-ever Big East Championship

PHILADELPHIA — Five games into the season, it seemed like coach Bridget Orchard and her Villanova softball team were in for a second straight year of mediocrity.

After returning to Villanova for the 2019 season, Orchard had yet to discover the success she enjoyed as a player for the Wildcats and later as a coach at Fordham University. After two postponements and five games, the Wildcats remained winless, including a demoralizing 8-0 result at the hands of Notre Dame. 

But, if there is one thing to know about this softball team, never count them out.

The squad found their footing in a 5-4 win over Hofstra which included a walk-off run in the bottom of the seventh. One win was all they needed. The Wildcats reeled off 11 wins in a row throughout March and achieved incredible heights with dominant 12-2 and 11-2 victories over UMBC and Delaware State, respectively.

The season was not without its heartbreaking losses though. A 10-inning thriller dropped to Big East rival Seton Hall presaged what would happen at the start of the Big East Tournament. Despite three consecutive victories over the University of Connecticut to finish the regular season, Villanova fell short to the Huskies in the opening game of the postseason.

The hard work, the incessant COVID-19 testing, the uncertain scheduling all for naught. Disappointment and utter disbelief replaced the celebrations from Villanova’s best winning percentage in conference play in school history. All was not lost, as the Wildcats had one remaining lifeline: a must-win game against top-seeded DePaul, a team Villanova had most recently lost to.

Despite the opening round loss, the Wildcats rallied to a 9-1 victory over the Blue Demons before sweeping past Butler in the ensuing game. Villanova stood on the brink of their first-ever Big East Championship, the only team in their way: the Connecticut Huskies.

It was only fitting that the Wildcats defeat the team who almost sent them packing, as Villanova secured their long-awaited title in two convincing victories. With the win, the Wildcats also booked themselves a spot in the NCAA Regional tournament.

The Ole Miss Rebels disillusioned the Big East champs with a 5-1 victory that both confirmed how far the Wildcats had come, but also the room they had left to grow. Once again, Villanova faced an elimination game against UMBC, their third matchup of the season against the Retrievers, and again it could have been easy to mail it in. After all, this team exceeded all expectations for the season and lost their most recent game to UMBC. With the summer heat becoming even more unbearable in the Tucson sun, the Wildcats could not have been blamed for pre-packing their bags.

Instead, Villanova overcame a 3-0 deficit in the fourth inning to deliver their first-ever NCAA Regional victory.

The loss to Ole Miss in the following game stung, but the records set by these Wildcats will live beyond this season. Senior pitcher Paige Rauch earned Third Team All-American to become only the second player in school history to receive the honors. She set the all-time career home run record in April and played an invaluable role in the team.

The 45-year history of Villanova softball is scattered with losing seasons and missed expectations. In a season like no other, the Wildcats conquered their past with an all-time campaign.

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