Bobcats Headed to Orlando for Space U Invitational

Space U Invitational hosted by UCF
Participating teams: UCF, Columbia, Pitt, FGCU
Feb. 20-23, 2025 | Orlando, Fla.
Tournament Central: Click Here

HAMDEN, Conn. – The Quinnipiac softball team is continuing their spring season in Florida this weekend, participating in the Space U Invitational hosted by UCF, who they will face Thursday afternoon. The Bobcats will also play Columbia and Pitt on Friday and Pitt again on Saturday before wrapping up the weekend facing Columbia and UCF on Sunday morning.

Only QU's game against UCF will be streamed, that link can be found here.

RAINED OUT IN NASHVILLE

The Bobcats were able to play two games last weekend in Nashville, Tenn. before weather could cancel the rest of the tournament.
In game one against TSU, QU fell 3-1 with the lone run coming from a Sofia Vega RBI triple.
Sydney Horan also struck out nine batters, the second highest total of her career in a single game and most since fanning 11 against UAlbany on March 1, 2024.
In the second game on Friday, the Bobcats fell in extra innings to Illinois after taking a late lead.
Mary Fogg went 3-4 with two runs scored while Natalia Apatiga had an RBI.
Mia Rubirosa also scored two runs.

WELCOME TO THE PACK

QU welcomes eight First Year players to the 2025 squad.
It features four Connecticut natives, Madison Waltke (Norwich), Mia Rubirosa (West Haven), Aryn Bombery (Naugatuck), and Alexandra Lewey (Fairfield).
Lexi Perez (Orlando) and Shannon Kendall (Land O Lakes) are each from Florida, while Ava Tabangcura becomes the tenth current Bobcat from California.
Zoey Nelson rounds out the group, hailing from Londonderry, New Hampshire.

STRONG RETURNING GROUP

The Bobcats return 18 from a season ago, including the team's two main starting pitchers in Sydney Horan and Jaclyn Gonzalez.
Amanda Engel, Ella McGalliard, and Jaclyn Gonzalez were also named as captains ahead of the season.
Natalia Apatiga returns after a stellar Second Team All-MAAC season, leading the Bobcats in nearly every batting category and starting all 45 games alongside Sofia Vega.
2023 All-MAAC First Team and Rookie Selection Mary Fogg returns to the outfield as well for the Bobcats.
Brooke Hilliard who led the team in runs scored also returns for the Bobcats.

LAST SEASON

QU is coming off its best season since 2018, winning 20 games.
It finished 9-15 in the MAAC, also their best finish since 2018.

MAAC COACHES' POLL

QU has been picked tied for ninth in the 2025 MAAC Coaches' Poll with Merrimack.

LEADING THE BOBCATS

Head Coach Hillary Smith enters her seventh season with the Bobcats after being named the eighth coach in program history.
Coach Smith has brought in eight new faces to the program.
Assistant coach Mandie Perez enters her third season with the Bobcats.
Perez helped Smith see the Bobcats earn one All-MAAC honor in the 2024 season.

To stay up-to-date with Quinnipiac Softball news, follow the Bobcats on Twitter/Instagram @QU_SOFTBALL or visit www.gobobcats.com

Schedule

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Players Mentioned

Natalia Apatiga

Aryn Bombery

Amanda Engel

Mary Fogg

Jaclyn Gonzalez

Brooke Hilliard

Sydney Horan

Shannon Kendall

Alexandra Lewey

Ella McGalliard

Zoey Nelson

Lexi Perez

Mia Rubirosa

Ava Tabangcura

Sofia Vega

Madison Waltke

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