Rachel Iovine is enjoying quite the adventure.
Her family trip to Italy during Easter 2025 turned into a unique chance for the Floral Park native to showcase her softball skills alongside top players from abroad. A high school senior, Iovine described the experience as a dream come true—one she never thought would actually happen.
What started as a visit to relatives in Milan and Naples transformed dramatically. Iovine’s father, Frank, reached out to the Italian American Baseball Foundation on a whim, making connections that sparked this softball journey.
Chris Vaccaro, who runs the foundation along with others from Long Island, helped facilitate the opportunity. While enjoying a drink with Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic, he contacted numerous teams eager to welcome Iovine.
“I think the level of play is quite comparable to Division I softball here,” Iovine mentioned, expressing her affection for Dario’s Pizza in West Hempstead and the abundance of artichokes. She pointed out how competitive her new teammates are, noting her own impressive performance—averaging a hit per game.
Just Off the Boat
Saronno Team Inox Softball, based near Milan, noticed Iovine’s versatility, recognizing her ability to play multiple positions, including both pitcher and catcher.
“They asked if I wanted to come back for an under-19 game,” she recalled. Her enthusiastic response was, naturally, a resounding “Of course.” She has plans to attend Lake Regional State University in North Dakota next year.
Though family was a priority, Iovine found herself hopping back and forth across Italy, having both quality family time and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“We spent seven hours on the road, and a couple of days later, we did it again,” she remarked.
Her travels weren’t in vain, however. Saronno invited her back for the summer, where she practiced and played with athletes from both the Italian and Czech national teams, as well as other Division I players from the U.S.
She participated in the lower tiers of Saronno’s systems and practiced at the top Serie A level, carefully navigating her university eligibility. Interestingly, the language barrier didn’t pose a problem; most of her teammates could “speak softball,” and many helped with translations. Learning the essential numbers in Italian was a breeze.
Iovine embraced independence while living with her teammates, making the most of her time in Italy. They often ventured to stunning spots like Lake Como and Bologna, where local athletes shared secrets about crafting the perfect carbonara.
The American Dream
When it was time to head back to Long Island, some teammates joined her for a spell.
“They stayed with me for a couple of months, playing back in America,” Iovine shared. The girls joined the Queen’s Nassau Comets during a Florida trip, connecting with college coaches and exploring opportunities to enhance their own chances of playing in the U.S.
As captain of Mary Louis Academy, Iovine took on a mentorship role, aiming to instill confidence and skills in the younger squad members.
“We have a bit of a younger team this year,” she acknowledged. “They may not have as much experience, so I try to guide them in understanding what needs improvement.”
Looking ahead, Iovine is eager to return to Italy next summer.
“I’ll graduate on May 30th and then jump on a flight to Italy on June 2nd,” she noted with excitement.
After all this, she’s faced with a new challenge: locating good Italian food in North Dakota.
“When we toured the campus, my dad immediately took me to the store to hunt for fresh tomatoes and other ingredients,” she shared about her father. She even compiled a cookbook with beloved family recipes, humorously adding, “I think I’ll be the one in charge of the team’s Sunday sauce.”
