Softball Preview
Lady Lions begin their prowl both young and hungry
The 2013 Penn State Hazleton softball team opens its 30th season of play on Monday, March 4 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. against Penn State Harrisburg. The team with 11 freshmen is young but hungry to begin their season and prove they can play with the best teams in the PSUAC conference. Returning for his 10th season is Head Coach Marty Mrozinski who knows the rigors of the season and playing championship softball. The Lady Lions look to return for an eighth straight trip to the Conference Championship Tournament in May and a trip to the USCAA National Championship Tournament in Akron, Ohio. Back for her senior year at Penn State Hazleton is former Hazleton Area HS star, Alyssa Rodzewich. Alyssa brings 3 years of collegiate softball experience to the team and will once again hold down third base for the Lady Lions. Alyssa is a 3 time All-conference player and has excelled in the classroom as well being a 3 time All-Academic player and has been recognized as a 2 time National Scholar Athlete.
Infielder, Krystin Baker also returns for her junior year and is looking to return to the form of her freshman season honor as a National All-American player in 2011. Krystin will likely see the bulk of her time at second base. Sophomores, Kristin Parker and Sabrina Babula round out the returning players. Weatherly Area grad Parker is coming off a successful freshman year on the mound. Kristin hurled the win last season when the Lady Lions clinched their 7th straight playoff appearance. Sabrina (Hazleton Area Grad) among the team and conference top hitters will be moving over to shortstop and will be filling the number 3 hitter spot in the lineup. Backing up and looking for some infield playing time is another local player Jaime Dougherty out of Weatherly Area. Jaime with great fielding range will see time around the infield. Also, Keely Lyons has shown her steady defense at practice and will look to get playing time at second or short.
A trio of freshman have been working out at first base including Julia Heidecker, Kaitlin Gutherman and Danica Schmeck. Kaitlin and Danica will also be seen on the mound as pitchers during the season. Julia has shown the ability to become one of the top hitters and could also see some time in the outfield. Right hander Martina Herring and lefty Jackie Furch round out the pitching staff. After very successful high school careers they will be counted on to help with the pitching duties throughout the season. Jackie will also see plenty of time in the outfield and to keep Martina’s bat in the lineup could also see time in the infield or outfield. Handling the bulk of the catching duties will be Katie VanBlargan. Katie will be counted on to keep the confidence level up of the young pitching staff and to add some power to the lineup. Ali Morton (PIAA Second Team All-State in 2011) will be in the outfield along with Georgiana Butler and another Hazleton Area product, Carly Rossi.
Some thoughts coming from Coach Mrozinski, “Our spring training games will offer a challenging early season schedule in Myrtle Beach that includes Kings College, Ursinus, Eastern and York College and should test us right out of the gate.” “We would like to start out with some early season success but how we react, respond and learn from the wins or losses will set the table for our conference schedule.” “With so many freshmen, the experience of getting some games under our belt at the collegiate level and the experience we will gain will certainly be beneficial during the season.” A return to conference playoffs should be within the reach of the Lady Lions.