Under bright stadium lights with the game on the line, senior Bianca LoBosco does not just play softball – she owns the diamond. Turning backyard swings off a tee into clutch home runs, LoBosco began her softball saga in Lynbrook Little League, then played travel softball for the Lynbrook Tornados, where practices were a soft dip into the world of the sport. “I loved playing with my teammates and going to practice to see my friends,” LoBosco mused. LoBosco stuck with softball, and a “tiny-tot” team soon evolved into the big leagues. One of LoBosco’s greatest highlights that encouraged her to stick with the sport was her first winning home run – the perfect crack of the bat, the crowd erupting, and a final step onto the home plate brought on an electric feeling, frozen in time. “The feeling was incredible,” LoBosco explained. “[It] lit a fire inside me to keep playing and keep getting better.”
Throughout her athletic career, LoBosco has played on many teams beyond the walls of LHS, including Storm Academy (2020-2021), the Lady Nightmares (2021-2022), and the Rhode Island Thunder Lotti (2022-present). Now ranked 151st in the nation and second in New York State across high school rankings, LoBosco has truly made a name for herself on and off the field.
Despite her success, the world of softball is not always easy, and LoBosco highlighted the emotional rollercoaster that committing so deeply to a sport can be. “There are ups and downs, failures and successes, and happiness and sadness,” LoBosco reflected, yet the beauty of her sport keeps her going. LoBosco has traveled to and played in 30 of the 50 states and hopes to have played in all 50 one day.
Softball has also taught LoBosco many lessons beyond pitching and hitting. Good habits, such as maintaining proper nutrition, have supplied her with skills that benefit her ubiquitously. The most important skill of all? Learning to deal with failure. “[You have to] learn how to bounce back quickly, learn to be coachable, and be a good friend and teammate,” LoBosco highlighted.
Though LoBosco has built her claim to fame, she has always been inspired by Marissa Rizzi, who played for LoBosco’s future university, St. John’s, and is soon to be her future coach. Leading the All-Big East First Team and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Second Team – two extremely sought-after awards in the world of softball – Rizzi embodies the athletic ideals LoBosco hopes to emulate in her own athletic career. “I can’t wait for her to be my coach,” LoBosco gushed.
Citing her parents as her biggest supporters, LoBosco emphasized the role parents play in the world of sports. From transportation to practice, or even across states, to the moral support of always having those you love in your corner, LoBosco’s support system is essential to her athletic career: “They have been there every step of the way, and I truly don’t know what I do without their support.”
Now officially committed to St. John’s University to play Division I (DI) softball, LoBosco was elated that three of her biggest goals have already been accomplished: aiming to make a travel team, a national travel team, and committing to a DI school on a scholarship. These achievements broadened LoBosco’s athletic opportunities and success. Excited for what the future holds, LoBosco aims to possibly become a professional softball player after finishing school as well as take up her own career in coaching. To a greater extent, she hopes to start her own organization to teach and train young girls who are new to the sport as LoBosco once was, but as wide-eyed and passionate as she continues to be.
In terms of her advice to younger athletes, LoBosco believes the most powerful thing an athlete can do is never give up. “Give 100 percent and always put in the work,” she stressed. “I really believe if you work your hardest you can achieve your goals. My story is based on hard work and dedication; I never gave up,” she added.
