7 Innings with Hofstra’s Sophie Dandola
Hofstra is off to a 17-7 start and is ranked 24th in latest RPI. The Pride have one of best pitching staffs in the country and are managed by head coach Larissa Anderson. The Pride pitching staff is currently ranked 19th in the NCAA with a 1.72 ERA. Hofstra has a great pitching tandem in Sophomore Sarah Cornell and Freshman Sophie Dandola. Dandola currently holds an 8-3 record with a 1.41 ERA which ranks 42nd nationally. Cornell is 9-4 with a 1.51 ERA which also ranks her in the Top 50.
Cornell was a first-team All-Northeast Region member as well as an All-Colonial second-team selection her freshman season and was named CAA pitcher of the week for the second time on Monday.
Dandola earned CAA pitcher of the week on March 6th following a weekend in Tallahassee where she helped knock-off Florida Gulf Coast and earned the save in a win over national power Florida State.
On this edition of “7 Innings,” We get to know Dandola who will be a key part of the Pride’s quest to win the CAA Championship as well as leading the Pride back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.
Eric Lopez (ELO): Your Bio says you started playing Softball at the age of five, what drew you to softball over other sports?
Sophie Dandola: “At five years old there weren’t many sports to play. I had to play with the boys because there weren’t enough girls signing up. I loved softball from the beginning, and I was always good at it. Softball just made me feel something all the others sports I played didn’t. I wanted to pitch from an early age too, and I started taking lessons at eight years old. Although I enjoyed playing volleyball and track, softball was and always will be my first love.”
ELO: Who was a significant influence during your softball playing days before Hofstra? Did you have a favorite player you like to watch growing up?
Dandola: “My biggest influence was my travel coach Angel Mangual of Team Long Island. He took me under his wing when I was 13 years old. He taught me the proper way to throw, to hit, to play the game. He pushed me to be better. He gave me the confidence to compete at a higher level. He taught me everything about being recruited and made me aware of what my potential truly was. I would not be where I am today without him.”
“Growing up my favorite players to watch were baseball players since I always watched the Yankees with my dad and we would also go to a lot of games. Derek Jeter and A-rod were my favorite.”
ELO: What made you decide to play at Hofstra?
Dandola: “The reason I chose Hofstra was mainly because of Coach Anderson. I knew that she was the best of the best and she could make me an all-around great softball player. I wanted to come in and make a difference as a pitcher and I knew she could get me there. Coach Bill Edwards was also a reason as well as Coach Edward’s daughter, Shari. They have all been a part of my growth and have contributed to my love of Hofstra before I even arrived. The Hofstra family is a special group of people, and as a young girl you can only dream of being a part of it.”
ELO: What has it been like being coached by coach Anderson?
Dandola: “Being coached by Coach Anderson is something that I will never take for granted. She has made me into the pitcher I am today. She has helped me grow tremendously in both the physical and mental aspects of softball. She is one of a kind, and I am so thankful to have her as my coach.”
ELO: What has it been like playing with Sarah Cornell?
Dandola: “Playing with Sarah is something that I am so thankful for. Sarah and I actually played in the same youth league together. We also played against each other in high school a few times. More recently, we were on the same travel team together so we are no strangers to each other. However, coming in as a freshman she has helped me so much. She helped me be a and confident on the mound and to stay calm and compete. I am grateful to be her teammate once again but it’s different this time around, we are after bigger things and we are in this together.”
ELO: You and Sara combined for ten shutout innings against Florida State. What did it feel like to get that save and close out the game?
Dandola: “When I got called in to pitch, I was ready and pumped. This is something that every player dreams of, and I couldn’t have been more ready. I excited and confident because I had the best defense behind me. Without them, it would not have been possible. “
ELO: How did you feel after being named CAA Pitcher of the Week?
Dandola: “It was a huge honor. To make CAA Pitcher of the Week was a dream. I came into Hofstra in the fall with a broken left hand so to come back and have all this happen I have to give credit to my Coach and teammates for constantly pushing me and making me better. I am so thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given, but I would honestly not be able to do anything without my teammates.”
ELO: Your bio says your a Major in Communication, and you want to get into Sports Broadcasting. Who are broadcasters you look up to?
Dandola: “I look up to Jessica Mendoza. She knows her softball and is a great announcer. She also knows her baseball like me. I also have looked up to Kim Jones and Meredith Marakovits from the YES Network.”
ELO: Before you go into a broadcasting career, What are the goals at Hofstra?
Dandola: “Over the next four years, I hope to win some rings and championships with my teammates.”
