Change of scenery for
this Holy Family freshman

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

The first time Angela DiBeneditto stepped onto the pitching mound in her Holy Family Tigers uniform, her heart was beating faster than the drum solos she used to play in high school.
"During my first game, I was really nervous," said DiBeneditto, a freshman at Holy Family University who has been playing percussion since fourth grade. "When I get really nervous like that, I’ll try to sing a song or get a beat in my head, and it calms me down so I can concentrate and help my team out."
She relocated from her hometown of Forest Hill, Md., to Philadelphia earlier this year, and recently made her debut with the Tigers’ softball squad.
"Where I live, we have deer and all these animals and are surrounded by woods. Everyone here gets excited when they see grass," DiBeneditto said with a laugh. "It’s very different. But I like that Holy Family isn’t directly in the city. It’s more on the outskirts, which I like."
Now, DiBeneditto’s new home is in Northeast Philadelphia, where she is enrolled in the school’s nursing program and lives in the dorms on Frankford Avenue. But that doesn’t stop her from driving two hours to visit home almost every weekend.
"I get homesick sometimes," she said. "I usually try to get home to visit my parents. But now that softball is starting, I’m staying here a lot more."
Time to play ball!
The Holy Family players put on their spikes and officially began their season in sunny Orlando, Fla., for the Rebel Spring Games in mid-March. The tournament seemed to be a bust for the Tigers, though, who returned home with a 2-8 record.
"We didn’t do too well in Florida," said coach Mick McGroarty. "We won two. We should have won six. We gave four of them away. We have the potential to be successful. I think we’ll be OK."
After arriving in Philadelphia, the Tigers quickly bounced back, winning both games of a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader against Goldey-Beacom on March 25.
Five days later, though, the Tigers fell twice in a double header against Bloomsburg University.
Most recently, the squad defeated Felician College, 3-0, in the first round of Monday’s double header. They lost the second game, 3-2. They now hold a 3-1 record in conference play.
"We’re all kind of now starting to mesh together," said DiBeneditto. "I still have a lot to learn. It’s still early in the season, but I’m really excited to be here."
DiBeneditto is one of four freshmen on the squad this year, two of whom are regulars on the pitching mound.
"I have a very young pitching staff," said McGroarty, referring to the Tigers’ trio of pitchers — sophomore Jody Searfoss and freshmen Rebecca Costa and DiBeneditto. "Right now they’re learning the college-level pitching."
One-two-three strikes you’re out
All three girls have already seen substantial time on the mound. Searfoss has tossed 44 strikeouts in 44 innings, leading the squad with a 2.25 ERA. Costa has sent 15 batters packing throughout her 31 innings, earning a 4.26 ERA.
DiBeneditto, though, has struggled — allowing 46 hits and 12 walks during her 30 innings on the mound.
"Just the terminology ‘freshman’ is self-explanatory. They make mistakes," said McGroarty. "But I know she (DiBeneditto) has the ability to be a great pitcher. She’s a freshman, but by the time the season is over, she will be a bona fide pitcher. She has the ability and the talent to be a very good player."
Although DiBeneditto already has found herself in some sticky situations on the mound, she seems to be adapting to the pressures of pitching.
"In those situations, you just have to kind of step back and take a breath and worry about it one pitch at a time," she said. "And know that your fielders are there to back you up. If they do hit the ball, your fielders are there and can make the plays.
"One of the reasons I like this team so much is that the coaches here are so helpful," she continued. "When I’m on the field, they don’t yell and scream. They really help you out. It’s all been really good so far."
The hurler first stepped onto a pitching mound eight years ago and has since mastered the drop, curve, rise, change-up, and a 61-mile-per-hour fastball.
"I’m just learning the screwball now too," said DiBeneditto. "I love to pitch. Here, I play some outfield. I can also play second. I can play pretty much every position. But when I’m not pitching, I’d rather play outfield."
Just one more game
Over the past two years, Holy Family has amassed a 21-23 record in conference play, missing postseason play by one game in both seasons.
Could the third time be the charm?
"Our biggest goal this year is to make the playoffs," said McGroarty. "I think this is the team to do it."
Seniors this year include catchers Kim Hockenbrock and Dana Pallotta, shortstop Kristilyn Obert, second baseman Francesca Garzio and outfielder Lauren Armstrong — providing a strong team to lead the flock of freshmen.
"The girls have taught me so much already," said DiBeneditto. "Everyone has been really amicable with me. I’m excited to play with this team, and I’m really hoping that I can help them get into the playoffs this year." ••