Reason to root on the Section 4 front as Villanova starts NCAA softball tournament
A distinct Section 4 presence will be front-and-center for Villanova University’s softball squad come onset of NCAA Tournament play in Orlando, Florida.
The team headed by fourth-season coach and Binghamton native Bridget Orchard — winner of 865 games across 25 collegiate seasons — is to open 6 p.m. Friday against host Central Florida (46-12). The 33-22 Wildcats closed Big East play with a 16-7 record.
Winner of back-to-back Big East championships, Villanova’s 22 wins in its most recent 27 games include a 3-for-3 conference tournament sweep — opponents outscored by a combined 6-0.
Michigan (36-16) and South Dakota State (40-11) round out the four-team Orlando bracket. Double-elimination is the format for the 16 three-day NCAA regionals.
The Wildcats’ cast notably features Paige Rauch, Windsor resident and Binghamton High graduate. She was recognized for a second consecutive spring as Most Outstanding Player in the conference tournament, and is a first-team all-conference selection for a third year running.
She pitched 20 scoreless innings in the Big East tournament, and doubled twice and scored twice in 10 plate appearances.
Binghamton-area Athlete of the Year: Paige Rauch, Villanova softball ace extraordinaire
Sophomore Tess Cites of Horseheads joined Rauch on the Big East all-tournament team, her two hits backed by difference-making defense in left field.
Freshman first baseman Amanda DeSantis (Maine-Endwell HS) is a .286 hitter as a Wildcats reserve.
To the Orlando Regional winner will go a super-regional berth the following week.
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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Section 4 flavor accompanies Villanova softball team to NCAA tourney
