Priest Helps Owls Win First NE-10 Title, Earn Third NCAA Appearance

May 14, 2010 by Greg Lederer

Southern Connecticut State University junior softball player Robin Priest felt urgency against Adelphi University on May 8. The Owls knotted the Northeast-10 Conference semifinals 1-1 during the fourth inning, but then neither team could break through offensively. Finally in the 13th inning, Priest took full advantage of her first and only at bat.
Priest hit a single to left and minutes later scored the game-winning run (2-1). Freshman teammate Kristin Whitley drove her home.
“It felt like a championship,” reflected Priest, a 2007 Cheshire High School graduate. “I was saying to myself that we have to win this now.”
The NE-10 Final, a day later against American International College, needed no suspense. The Owls compiled 12 hits and the game was decided (12-0) at the close of the fifth inning. After earning the program's strongest regular season record, SCSU (40-11 record) realized their first tournament title and ninth straight victory overall at the University of New Haven. Senior quad captain Megan Caporossi (NE-10 MVP) had three hits and six RBIs against AIC.
“It was an amazing feeling and team effort. We are the first team to ever get that,” added Priest. “All year, our team has been very strong offensively. We played AIC in the regular season and beat them (5-1, 8-4; April 13). As soon as we made it to the championship game, we knew we could go all the way.”
The experience was redemption, after the Owls were shutout 3-0 by LeMoyne in the 2009 title game.
“It was an extremely big goal,” recalled Priest. “LeMoyne is one of our big rivals. We opened the tournament against them this year and won 9-1.”
Priest is batting .293 with nine runs, 12 hits, and 10 RBIs in 23 games. As a second baseman, she became friends with Caporossi at shortstop.
“I've been playing with her since freshman year. She is a great hitter and defender,” said Priest. “Chemistry in the middle infield is so important. You have to know your role.”
She also enjoys familiarity with the coaching staff. Lisa Barbaro coaches Priest in softball and volleyball.
“As soon as volleyball is done with, we're back to softball. It's very helpful to have the same coach,” explained Priest. “They know the transition from each sport.”
The softball team earned a 21-1 record at home this spring. Fortunately, they won't have to travel far for the NCAA Division II playoffs. Since NE-10 rival UNH holds the top seed, the Owls return to the same site this afternoon. SCSU (fourth seed) meets fifth-seeded Caldwell College (New Jersey), at 3:30 p.m. UNH and Georgian Court (eighth seed) play the first game, at 1 p.m.
“I like our bracket and think we can do very well this weekend,” Priest said. “It's always been a rivalry between UNH and SCSU. But, we have to get there first.”