THE RIGHT STUFF: Lexi Kobryn fires a pitch in a game for the Villanova University softball team. Former Hun School standout Kobryn emerged as a two-way star for the Wildcats this spring in her sophomore campaign, batting .295 with two homers and 21 RBIs and going 5-12 in the circle with 29 strikeouts. (Photo provided courtesy of Villanova Athletics)
By Bill Alden
During her career with the Hun School softball team, Lexi Kobryn proved to be a dual threat, starring with her arm and bat.
In the circle, Kobryn totaled 638 strikeouts and had an ERA of 0.41 in her four seasons for the Raiders from 2021-24. At bat, she hit .537 with 123 hits, 119 RBIs, and 98 runs.
Starting her college career at Villanova in the spring of 2025, Kobryn pitched well, going 9-10 with 57 strikeouts in 101 innings and a 4.99 ERA. But Kobryn didn’t have much of a chance as a hitter in her freshman campaign, getting two hits in just 16 at-bats.
This spring, Kobryn was determined to demonstrate her two-way excellence for the Wildcats.
“I came into this season and because I didn’t have too much of an opportunity to hit last year, I worked hard on it to get a place in the lineup,” said Kobryn. “It was more performing well in practice, proving that I should get an opportunity in the games.”
After Villanova got off to a 0-16 start facing some high-powered foes on a southern swing, Kobryn experienced a breakout game against Bucknell on February 27. She went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and also got the win in the circle with 4 2/3 innings of relief.
“That was probably one of the best highlights of the season, that was our first win,” said Kobryn. “I actually hit the walk-off to win that game and it gave me the confidence the rest of the season to know that was a tough position I was in and I was able to get it done. It just gave me the confidence of going into conference play that I am a good hitter and I can hit well. I really just proved myself so I was really happy about that.”
Kobryn ended up batting .295 with 31 hits, 12 runs, two homers, and 21 RBIs. In the circle, Kobryn experienced some ups and downs, going 5-12, posting a 6.17 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 76 innings. The Wildcats struggled collectively, going 14-39 overall and 8-16 Big East.
As for her hitting, Kobryn gained a comfort level at the plate as the season went on.
“I would say getting more at-bats and facing live pitching more was boosting my confidence,” said Kobryn. “Confidence is a big factor in softball and just knowing that I can do it really changed everything.”
In the circle, Kobryn acknowledged that she hit some bumps in the road.
“It was definitely a tough season, it was a season more for growth,” said Kobryn. “I am happy with how I finished on a positive note. It was a season to see where I need to work on and then just come back stronger.”
Kobryn went though some growth pains as she diversified her pitching repertoire.
“I came into this season with a lot more pitches in my arsenal,” said Kobryn.“It was a process of figuring out when I should throw them and to which batter. It was figuring that out since I had more pitches. That was a learning curve that I faced throughout the season, figuring out this is not a pitch I should throw in this situation. So coming back next season, I just have a better idea of what works.”
Things worked very well for Kobryn in her final pitching appearance of the season as she hurled a shutout, striking out four and yielding two hits as Villanova prevailed 4-0.
“I was really mixing my changeups a lot in that game keeping the hitters off balance,” said Kobryn. “It was the last series of the season but it was the point where my pitching coach and I just got into a groove of like really what was working. I felt confident and just kept going at batters. It was a good ending point, like a transition into the summer and the offseason.”
For Kobryn, proving her point that she could contribute with her arm and her bat was heartening.
“It was the best,” said Kobryn. “I am hoping that I keep working hard over the summer to keep that role.”
Over this summer, Kobryn has focused on fine-tuning her control in the circle.
“Pitching-wise it is working on command of pitches,” said Kobryn. “I definitely have the spin down but it is can I throw each pitch for a strike and then a pitch off the plate. You can’t always be in the zone.”
Kobryn has been getting some guidance as she looks to achieve that goal.
“I have been working with my same pitching coach (Ashley Sunshine) for about five years,” said Kobryn. “She is out of Chicago, it is a lot of remote work. I also go there probably about three times a summer.”
In terms of her hitting, Kobryn has been putting
in a lot of work this summer with some help from her family.
“I usually just come to the field and do a lot of tee work,” said Kobryn. “Also my brothers help me as well pitching to me. One of my weaknesses in hitting was staying in my legs more so
I have been focusing on more power.”
Heading into her junior season, Kobryn is looking to be an even more impressive two-way performer
next spring.
“I don’t have any specific goals,” said Kobryn. “I just want to have a season that I am super, super proud of that I can look back on when the season is over that I did great and I did exactly what I wanted. It is just keep pitching and being dominant in the circle and staying confident and consistent with my hitting.”
As for the Wildcats, Kobryn is confident that the squad can bounce back next year and produce a season to be proud of.
“It was a just a season for growth,” said Kobryn. “It was a tough season for us all. It makes us better. I think we have a fire in us coming into the season, knowing hey we are not going to let that happen again. We are going to come out stronger and better.”