Mace, Paoli lead No. 1 Salisbury Softball

The Salisbury University Softball team is on a 25 game winning streak with an overall record of 30-1.  Graduate students Abby Mace (Smyrna ‘ 19) and Natalie Paoli (Caravel ‘19) are  two standout players who are chasing the opportunity to play for and win a Division III National Championship. Last year the Seagulls lost in the  finals to Trine University. Interestingly enough Trine accomplished what Salisbury looks to do this season; losing in the finals one year and winning it the next. Mace, Paoli and the rest of the Seagulls are well on their way to reaching that goal.

Abby was a two-time State Champion with the Smyrna Eagles in high school and has excelled in her tenure at Salisbury. Mace boasts some impressive offensive stats for her team. In 91 at bats this season she has amassed a .495 batting average.  Abby leads the team in many offensive categories including hits (45), runs (55), doubles (13), triples (3), homeruns (13), RBI’s (39) and walks (28). She only has 16 strikeouts and is second on the team with an on base  percentage of .610.

Mace anchors the outfield for the Seagulls in center field. Her defensive stats are equally impressive: 41 chances, 35 putouts, 5 assists, and 1 error gives her a fielding percentage of .976. Abby was named NFCA Player of the week April 16th and in the game against Ursinus, she broke the schools all time homerun record by hitting her 53rd in that game, she now has 55. She also holds Salisbury’s record for career runs scored (213) and is approaching the record for most triples as well. Abby has 15 and needs 19 to surpass LeAnne Collins (‘18).  Abby has been a two time Conference Player of the year and two time First Team All American.

Salisbury softall Abby Mace photo on becoming the homerun leader Photo courtesy of Salisbury Athletics

On breaking the career home run record Mace said “ It was really cool to break the record and it was something I didn’t even know was possible when I started as a freshman here. This year I knew it was something that I could do so I worked really hard in the off season, making sure I was getting my reps in and seeing the ball well to hit it hard. Home runs aren’t something I try to do when I step in the box but I just try to hit the ball hard and do what I need to do in the box for my teammates.”

Salisbury softall Natalie Paoli up to bat during a game at Washington College. Photo by Shannon Timmons

Caravel Academy grad, Na talie Paoli, is another player who gets the job done for the Gulls. She has a .409 batting average with 93 plate appearances. Natalie has 37 hits, scored 17 runs, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homeruns, 29 RBI’s, and 2 walks. She leads in sacrifice bunts with 10 and has 2 sac flies. The unselfishness demonstrated by this player helps her team win games. Paoli is second behind Mace in hits (38) and RBI’s (30), also has 6 doubles, 4 home runs, 2 walks,  and 5 stolen bases.

Natalie secures the middle infield as the shortstop with 29 putouts, 63 assists, 8 errors giving her an impressive .920 fielding percentage. She has had 100 chances to field the ball this season.

When asked how prepared she was leaving high school softball and being ready to be an impact player in college Natalie shared “ I think you need to focus on the little things, so whether that means going to the field in the summer to do defense at 7 am when you don’t  want to, but working on the little things everyday, that becomes  big things and big moments so the better you can get everyday it’s going to translate into big games.”

Abby Mace (L), Natalie Paoli (R) . Photo by Shannon Timmons

Mace and Paoli had big games again yesterday in the Seagull’s sweep of Washington College, each hitting home runs in the nightcap. We will continue to follow this team on their amazing journey to the Division III National Championship and wish Coach Lacey Lord and her team the best of luck!

Delaware softball players currently on Salisbury University’s roster include:

Abby Mace (Smyrna), Natalie Paoli (Caravel Academy), Jillian Dawson (Appoquinimink),Lexie Delcollo (DMA), Taylor Scott (Woodbridge), and Morgan Moxley (Caravel Academy).