28/02/2019 1 Minute Read

Team Italy's Mariel Bertossi named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week

Since returning from the Asia Pacific Cup in Sydney, Australia last month, Team Italy slugger Mariel Bertossi has been on fire for Alabama's University of Montevallo Falcons women's softball squad

Since returning from the Asia Pacific Cup in Sydney, Australia last month, Team Italy slugger Mariel Bertossi has been on fire for Alabama's University of Montevallo Falcons women's softball squad. Mariel Bertossi helped the Lady Falcons sweep a three-game series against Christian Brothers University at home on February 24-25, 2019. She went 7-for-13 (.538) with three extra-base hits, eight runs scored and seven RBI. As a result of her outstanding offensive performance, Mariel Bertossi was named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week. She is currently in the team's top three offensive categories: second in batting average (.422), second in slugging percentage (.622), first in on-base percentage (.544), third in runs scored (16), third in hits (19), second in doubles (6), second in home runs (2), third in RBI (15), second in total bases (28), and first in hit by pitch (8).

A Pre-Med/Biology major in her junior year studying at the University of Montevallo, Mariel Bertossi has enjoyed success playing softball in the United States since 2015. In her senior year at California's Lathrop High School, she played in 20 games and compiled an impressive .600 batting average with 33 hits, 29 runs scored and 13 RBI. Mariel Bertossi went on to play travel ball with the All-American Sports Academy.

Riccardo and Mariel Bertossi Excellence runs deep in the Bertossi family as Mariel Bertossi's brother is none other than former Team Italy U18 captain Riccardo Bertossi. In her first year playing collegiate softball, she hit .287 with four home runs, 29 runs scored and 22 RBI in 41 games. As a freshman at the University of Montevallo, Mariel Bertossi was named a Gold Scholar on the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll. She was later honored as an NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete during the 2017-18 academic year. Mariel Bertossi returned for her sophmore campaign with a bang when she boosted her batting average nearly 100 points (.363).

Mariel Bertossi is on the improve and will be a valuable asset to Team Italy on the road to Tokyo 2020. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti