Richmond, VA – Freshman Haley Venturini picked up the first honor of her collegiate career Monday morning as the Hofstra softball pitcher was named the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week. She is also the first weekly award winner for Hofstra softball this season.
 
Venturini had a stellar outing in the circle during Hofstra's 6-1 victory over Iona on Sunday, throwing her third complete-game of the season with a career-high 12 strikeouts. The right-hander scattered five hits and just one walk without surrendering an earned run, helping her earn her second-straight win in the circle.
 
The effort marked Venturini's first double-digit strikeout performance of the season and is her fifth outing with five or more strikeouts.
 
On the season, Venturini leads the Hofstra pitching staff with a 2.81 ERA through 37.1 innings of work. She also leads the team with 38 strikeouts.
 
The Hofstra softball team has a busy week and is back in action for at trio of single games before getting into non-conference action this weekend. Hofstra will host Stony Brook on Tuesday, March 22 at 3 p.m. to kick off the week before taking on LIU and Howard on the road on Wednesday and Thursday.