Pizzano, Zukowski named captains for 2018
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Bryant University softball senior Gianna Pizzano (Saugus, Mass.) and sophomore Nicole Zukowski (Medford, N.Y.) have been named captains for the team's 2018 season, Bryant head coach Shayne Lotito announced on Wednesday.
"We are happy to announce our two captains, Gianna and Nicole," Lotito said. "They are both strong young women that uphold our core values, philosophy and standards on a consistent basis. In the short time since they have assumed their roles, the two have done a great job connecting the coaching staff and the team and keeping the team focused on our season goals to provide strong leadership for our youthful roster."
A member of the softball team since the 2015 season, Pizzano has played in 83 games heading into her senior season. On the opposite end, Zukowski is coming off of a freshman season that saw the now-sophomore play in 37 games.
Despite the gap in experience, both players are excited about the opportunity to lead the Bulldogs in the new season. For Pizzano, the title doesn't change how she views the season.
"Nothing changes, mentality wise," Pizzano said. "We just hope that we can spread our mentality to the whole team. We hope to focus, share the same goals, everything."
What do the now-Bulldog captains hope to accomplish this season?
"We want to keep motivating people," Zukowski said. "Especially toward the end of the season, that's when a lot of people are stressed about finals and other outside things. That's where, sometimes, you can lose your focus and energy, and that's where we'll need to keep it going and show how important it is. We want that time of the season to have our highest energy and highest focus. Hopefully, we get that ring."
Pizzano shared her co-captain's thoughts. Signing her national letter of intent before the 2014 season that saw Bryant win its first-ever Northeast Conference championship, Pizzano was attracted to a culture of winning and hopes to build upon it. "I want to get a ring this year," she said. "We want to get a little bit better every day. Hopefully, at the end of the year, we can be in that dogpile in the circle, on our field. That's what I'm aiming for."
The team has already started practicing, using the luxury of the Conaty Indoor Athletic Center rather than the snow-covered field of Conaty Park. For the Bulldogs, the indoor facility has helped tremendously in getting the team ready for games.
"It prepares us so well," Pizzano said. "Nowadays, a few teams in our conference play on turf instead of dirt. It prepares us for that."
"It's so much better [than practicing indoors]," Zukowski added. "You don't feel crammed and can get so many more reps in."
The Bulldogs are coming off of a season in which they finished 12-36 but finished with a 7-9 record in conference play. Bryant played a tough early-season schedule, competing against teams like Arizona, Fordham, Purdue and many others. This season, the schedule is just a tough, but the two Bulldog captains are excited about the challenge.
"When we play those teams, we don't realize how good we actually are," Zukowski said. "Afterwards, when you have that better competition, you realize that you are good. We aren't something to mess with. That makes us more confident for our season."
"Let's have fun with it," Pizzano added. "Why not? We're the underdog, so let's show them what we're made of … Hopefully, once we get the ring in the NECs, we'll be seeing those teams again, anyway. Little adjustments, at-bat to at-bat or inning to inning, leave it all on the line."