Louisville Softball Sees Late-Game Drama in February Contest
A pivotal moment unfolded in a recent Louisville softball game on , as Ava Venturelli was hit by a pitch, resulting in an RBI. The play contributed to a developing situation in the game against Kennesaw State, according to box score information released by The ACC.
The incident occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning, with Bri Despines scoring on the play. Camryn Lookadoo advanced to third base, and Taylor Monroe moved to second. The hit-by-pitch was recorded as a 0-2 count with a full count before the pitch.
Venturelli, currently a junior at the University of Louisville, has demonstrated consistent growth throughout her collegiate career. As a freshman in 2024, she played in 21 games, earning a start and connecting for her first collegiate home run – a walk-off grand slam against Bowling Green State on . She also registered her first collegiate hit, a two-run single, in a win at Coastal Carolina on .
Her sophomore year in 2025 saw her appear in 25 games, including seven starts as a designated hitter. Venturelli batted .282 with 8 RBIs and a home run, showcasing a three-game hitting streak and multiple multi-hit games. Notably, she recorded 4 RBIs and a home run against Longwood on , and was named an NFCA Scholar Athlete.
Prior to her arrival at Louisville, Venturelli excelled at Taunton High School, helping lead the team to three consecutive state titles. She earned recognition as a 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette All-Scholastic Team selection and an Alliance All-Star. As a senior, she posted impressive statistics, hitting .479 with a .565 on-base percentage, nine home runs, and 35 RBIs. In her junior year, she maintained a .457 batting average with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs.
Venturelli’s talent was also recognized on a broader scale, earning her HockomockSports All-Star honorable mention in 2022 and a Taunton Daily Gazette All-Star nod in the same year. She was also nominated for the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year award. Extra Innings recognized her as the 20th-overall recruit and the 12th-rated outfielder in the class of 2023, ranking her at No. 71 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100.
Her success extended to travel ball, where she played a key role in the Louisville Lady Sluggers’ third-place finish at the 2022 Alliance National Championship and was a member of the Rhode Island Thunder Gold squad that competed at Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals in 2021.
Recent batting statistics show Venturelli’s continued development. Through 2026, her career batting average as a designated player is .222 with a .282 on-base percentage and a .361 slugging percentage. She has appeared in 54 games with 78 plate appearances and 72 at-bats, recording 3 home runs and 16 RBIs.
The February 14th game against Kennesaw State adds to a growing narrative of Venturelli’s contributions to the Louisville softball program, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure and contribute to key moments in games. The hit by pitch, while a seemingly small play, highlights her role in creating scoring opportunities for her team.
