Since her first year on campus, Amelia DeRosa has been a star for the Springfield College softball team. As a dual-threat both in the circle and in the batter’s box, she knows how impactful her presence can be for the Pride.
However, when the team traveled to Florida for a week of games over Springfield College’s spring break, DeRosa unlocked a new gear, willing her team to victories and solidifying herself as one of the top players in the program’s history.
“It definitely helps to start our season off when you’re feeling a little bit more comfortable in that warmth and environment,” DeRosa said. “It’s such a great team bonding experience as well. I feel like our team became more of a family after that trip.”
Playing softball through high school in her hometown of Miller Place on Long Island in New York, DeRosa found a home at Springfield College. As soon as she stepped foot on the field, the talent was undeniable.
As a freshman, DeRosa hit .509 with 82 hits in 44 games. On the mound, DeRosa was nothing short of dominant, pitching to a 2.20 ERA in 70 innings of work. When not pitching, DeRosa locked down third base with solid defense. Her career took off from this moment, with all of the work she has put in leading up to her senior season.
Now, as a senior during this season’s Florida trip, DeRosa couldn’t help but crack a joke on how successful her pitching performances were throughout the week.
“I mean, I guess that Florida weather makes my curveball spin just that much more,” DeRosa said with a laugh. “We wanted to challenge those higher-ranked teams, and I think the whole team’s attitude getting into it was awesome.”
Throughout the week, DeRosa picked up three wins for the team in the circle, pitching a complete game shutout versus William Patterson on March 16, and surrendering only two unearned runs versus No. 13 UW-Oshkosh in her most impressive game of the trip. Against the ranked opponent, DeRosa pitched a complete game for the Pride, while also going 3-4 at the plate with three RBIs, driving in all three runs for the Pride in a huge 3-2 win.
The Pride went 5-2 over their week in Clermont, Florida, picking up wins over Southern Maine, William Patterson, Geneseo in extra innings, Keene State and previously mentioned UW Oshkosh. DeRosa led the charge for the team through these impressive wins, doing whatever it took to bring home the victory for her squad.
While in Florida, over the span of five games, DeRosa batted .650 while scoring two runs and driving in seven. This included a walk-off two-run single in extra innings versus SUNY Geneseo on March 18. These outstanding statistics earned DeRosa NEWMAC Athlete of the Week honors for the week of March 23, her second of the season.
“I love the pressure,” DeRosa said. “It makes me feel helpful and useful to be able to be in those situations, and I have enough confidence in the box that I can get it done for my team.”
Now back in the colder climate of Springfield, Mass., and heading into NEWMAC play, DeRosa feels that the team is poised to continue their winning ways and fight for a conference title following their successful time down south.
“I think it proved a lot to us in our confidence,” DeRosa said. “Before we started in Florida, we split a double-header with Williams, who are a very strong team, which surprised us a bit because you go into those first couple games very unsure. To be able to have such a heavy schedule in Florida and actually produce wins against high-level teams was surreal.”
Primarily batting leadoff this season, DeRosa knows the importance of her presence in the batter’s box and how important her at-bats can be to set the tone for the rest of the team behind her. Understanding the opportunities she receives by being the first batter the opposing pitcher has to face, DeRosa has a solid mindset towards her approach.
“The first at-bat of the game, I usually try to get into long at-bats,” DeRosa explained. “I think there’s nothing worse than when you’re the lead-off hitter, and you kill the momentum. I struggle with that because I swing at anything close, but I definitely want to have a challenging at bat that gives confidence to the next couple of batters and find a way on base. I trust the people behind me to move me over, and score me.”
Always hitting near or at the top of the order, DeRosa has put together an incredible career up to this point. Now sitting at fourth in Springfield College softball history in hits over her career, the senior standout has a real chance at finishing her career as the all-time hits leader for the Pride. She already has earned the record for most hits in a single season with 82 from her freshman campaign, always producing when the team needs her to. With career statistics that rank amongst the best in Springfield’s history in RBIs, batting average, and more, DeRosa has been nothing short of great over her time at the college.
Despite her incredible feats over the span of her career in both pitching and hitting, and being dominant throughout her first three seasons with the Pride, DeRosa felt the importance of her incredible stretch of games in Florida as she looks to cap off her career with a bang.
“It’s my senior year, so this is the last lap around,” DeRosa said. “It definitely feels like I’m starting off strong, and I just want to stay healthy. It obviously gave me a pretty good confidence boost that I feel stronger and healthier than ever to continue forward with the season.”