VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova today announced the addition of Brielle Pietrafesa to its Softball coaching staff. Pietrafesa is a Pennsauken, N.J. native who completed a decorated career at Hofstra University in 2018 and assumes the role of volunteer assistant coach.
 
"We feel very fortunate to have Coach Brielle join our coaching staff," stated Villanova head coach Bridget Orchard.  "She is a winner that brings championship and NCAA Tournament experience with her.  She played under Hall of Fame coaches at Hofstra University and her energy and passion for the game show.  We are excited for her to get started with the team this Fall!" 
 
Pietrafesa was the 2014 Philadelphia Inquirer Player of the Year at Paul VI High School. As a college senior in 2018, she led the Pride with a .348 batting average and 55 runs batted in – the second-best single season mark in program history. An outfielder, she also belted 13 home runs and was selected All-Northeast Region first team. In addition, Pietrafesa was a first or second team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection in each of her final three seasons at Hofstra after being named to the CAA All-Freshman team in 2015.
 
Villanova's fall semester commences on Monday. The Wildcats will start fall workouts next week in preparation for the 2020 regular season, which gets underway in February. Villanova (29-24 overall, 9-8 BIG EAST) advanced to the 2019 BIG EAST Tournament championship game in Orchard's first season as head coach at her alma mater after an accomplished 17-year run at Fordham.