Penn College News

Penn College Women Set for Softball Playoff Action

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

After going 19-5 overall and 18-2 in Penn State University Athletic Conference games this spring, the Pennsylvania College of Technology women's softball team is set for playoff action at University Park.

The second-seeded Wildcats, who captured the North Division title, open play in the double-elimination PSUAC Final Four at 11 a.m. Friday against third-seeded Penn State Mont Alto (15-5 conference record). Mont Alto won the South Division. In the other first-round game, top-seeded West Division titlist Penn State Beaver (19-1) plays fourth-seeded Penn State Hazleton (17-3), a wild-card entry, at 1 p.m. Losers of the first two games play at 3:30 p.m. and winners of the first two games play at 5 p.m. All games are being played at Nittany Lion Field at University Drive and Park Avenue, opposite of Jeffrey Field.



Action continues Saturday with games set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and if necessary 3 p.m.

During regular-season action, Penn College swept a doubleheader from Penn State Mont Alto and split games with Penn State Beaver and Penn State Hazleton, but coach Roger Harris isn't taking anyone lightly.

"They are good teams. In order to beat them, we have to play good, solid ball. We've been averaging about 10 hits a game, but, if we can stay strong defensively and keep up the hitting … I don't see any reason why the girls can't go up there and come home with a championship," Harris said. "The girls are very motivated and they love the sport."

Kristin Bernard (Hastings) will be the starting pitcher against Mont Alto, with Renee Craig (Millville) and Michelle McNett (Canton) expected to see mound action, too. Harris likes the pitching depth his team possesses.
"We might have a little bit of an edge over the other teams there because we do have three pitchers we can go to. It can give us an edge if we have to keep going game after game after game," the sixth-year coach said.

Other Penn College starters against Mont Alto will be Melissa Berrier (Mifflin) in left field, Craig will be the designated hitter, Jasmine Elmore (Dover) in right field, Lauren Fuller (South Williamsport) in center field, Chelsea Lyons (Howard) at second base, McNett at shortstop, Lisa Miller (Cogan Station) at third base, Samantha Mills (Harrisburg) catching and Ann Marie Prosser (Elizabethtown) at first base.

The Lady Wildcats, who lost in the first round of the playoffs last year, are seeking their first softball championship ever.

(Complete rosters and season schedules are available on the college's Athletics Web site ).