2015 Softball Preview
Penn State Hazleton Softball Season Preview
Hazleton ended a successful 2014 season with a 25-16 (15-8 PSUAC) record, a 3rd place finish in the Penn State University Athletic Conference and trip to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament in Akron, Ohio. After losing 10 players from such a successful team, one might assume a rebuilding year is in order, but for Coach Marty Mrozinski and company, expectations remain high as he and his staff retool and prepare for another run at a PSUAC championship. A solid performance against NCAA division 2 and 3 schools during the spring trip to Cocoa Beach, FL shows that 2015 promises to be just as capable and exciting as 2014.
Key Losses:
-USCAA 1st Team All-American Martina Herring - 16 wins, 138 K, .326 BA w/ 25 RBI
OF Carly Rossi - .330 BA, 2 HR w/ 28 RBI
1B Julia Heidecker - .316 BA, 3 HR w/ 28 RBI
CF Megan McHugh - .304 BA, 10 SB's
Key Returners:
3B Andrea Quillman - The freshman led the offense in nearly all categories during her first season with Hazleton, batting .354 for the season with 6 home runs, 28 RBI and 38 runs scored. Quillman was equally impressive at prowling the hot corner sporting a .858 fielding percentage in 134 chances.
C Erin Dougherty - Returning for her second season, Dougherty committed just one error behind the dish while driving in 26 runs at the plate.
P Kayla Karchner - In 2014 Karchner led the Lady Lions in ERA, giving up just 2.86 earned runs per contest in 18 games pitched.
UTL Leanne Lagowski - Lagowski's versatility in the field proved to be a valuable commodity in 2014 and will continue to sure up the defense wherever needed in 2015.
PH Tina Beiland - In limited play last season, Beiland batted .429 in 2014 and will provide a solid bat off the bench in 2015.
New Additions:
Pitching Coach: Heather Dale
PLayers: Kayla Rhome, Kaitlyn Kaluzny, Vikki Ryan, Brandi Grunz, Brianna Grunza, Sara Stauffer, Brintani Esser, Katie Grupski
Probable Pitching Rotation:
- Kayla Rhome
- Kayla Karchner
- Sara Stauffer
- Britani Esser
Projected Lineup
SS - Brianna Grunza
LF - Brandi Grunza
CF - Sara Stauffer
3B - Andi Quillman
C - Erin Dougherty
P - Kayla Rhome
2B - Kaitlyn Kaluzny
1B - Britani Esser
RF - Leanne Lagowski
P/Flex/RF - Kayla Karchner