By Drew Buono
Lisa Wambold is unarguably the standout player on the Pride’s softball team. Wambold, who plays second base, is now in her last season and hopes to graduate with an NCAA Championship.
“I love to win awards both personally and as part of a team, but they don’t really sink in until after the season is over and I reflect on the accomplishments,” Wambold said.
Wambold has been part of some of the greatest teams ever assembled for the Pride in any sport. The team is coming off two straight appearances in the NCAA Regional Finals and is looking to try to take that next step this season and advance to the College World Series.
Wambold is approaching many milestones in Pride softball history, as she has the opportunity to leave the team as the all-time home run and stolen base leader. She is also a two-time member of the first team All-CAA and is defending CAA Player of the Year. When asked about this list of accomplishments, a humbled Wambold said her team was the biggest reason for all of her individual successes.
“I’m proud of myself, but I don’t take it too seriously,” Wambold said. “And besides, it’s about the team, not the individual in softball.”
Head coach Bill Edwards describes Wambold as, “a gifted and dedicated athlete with a tremendous attitude.”
Edwards also admitted that Wambold was part of the best recruiting class he has ever had. “Everyone is special from that class and each of them brings something unique and special to the field,” he said. “We grew close right away and our team play was a result of that,” she said.
However, the loss of so many seniors last year has taken a beating on the team so far this season. Wambold noted that the Pride has lost some of its unity since year, but she is proud of her new teammates and knows they will be successful once her class graduates.
Edwards agrees, saying that, “the first month and a half of any season is a journey. This game isn’t easy to predict and we can go only as far as our pitching can take us.”
Wambold has been a workhorse both on and off the field. She is dual majoring in psychology and elementary education. She connects her leadership to her ability to balance her academics and the team.
“I decided to put off my student teaching for a semester so that I could focus more on the team,” she said. “I wanted to do it now, but there is no way of committing myself 100 percent to the classroom and the team. I am a perfectionist, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”