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RELEASE DATE: 4/23/09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Softball faces Edinboro in first game at PSAC playoffs Friday
That’s not necessarily the way the Mansfield University softball team and head coach Edith Gallagher feel. “ Of course we’re pleased to be in the playoffs, “said Gallagher. “It’s a position that not a lot of people thought we wouldn't be in at the beginning of the year. But were a hot team right now and playing our best ball of the season. I think we’re more dangerous than some people may think.” The new PSAC playoff format has a total of nine teams competing in three different three-team pools, with the division winners hosting the pools. The first round is a double elimination format on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25. The winners of each pool will advance to the PSAC Finals, which will be held on Sunday, May 3 at a site to be determined. The finals will feature a single elimination format Mansfield, which finished third in the PSAC Central, will take on Edinboro, the #2 seed in the PSAC West, Friday at 11 a.m. at Kutztown University. Kutztown, the #1 seed from the East and tournament host, meets the winner of that game at 1 p.m. with the loser’s of the first two games playing at 3 p.m. in the double-elimination tournament. The winner’s of game two and four meet at 11 a.m. on Saturday with a game five in necessary being played at 1 p.m. Mansfield finished in a tie for third in the PSAC Central with IUP and was awarded the PSAC playoff berth by winning a coin-toss of all other tie-breaking agenda had been exhausted. Edinboro (7-7 PSAC West, 24-17 overall) was the final team to earn a playoff berth because of weather-postponements. A very young Mountaineer team has
surprised even themselves this year. With centerfielder Katie McConville
(Lake But Mansfield has gotten clutch hitting along with solid pitching from sophomore Melissa Baer (Williamsport/Williamsport) and freshman Kami Bishop (Port Royal/Juniata) to sneak up on opponents. The top of the lineup has provided the most punch. Junior second basemen Janelle Antes (Elizabethville/Upper Dauphin) is hitting at a .268 clip with a home run and 12 RBI and has stole 6-9 bases on the season. Sophomore shortstop Megan Trutt (Mifflinburg/Mifflinburg) has been stellar defensively while hitting .274 out of the second spot in the order. Sophomore outfielder Nicole Yost (Antes Fort/Jersey Shore) has been the most pleasant surprise on the team this year hitting a team-best .316 with eight home runs and 20 RBI. Junior Jen Stein (Williamsport/Williamsport) and freshman Erin Carrol (Matawan,NJ/Mater Dei) have split the catching/designated hitter spot this year where Stein is hitting .281 with three home runs and Carroll .247. Ashley Gaisser (Brockport,NY/Brockport) generally bats fifth and plays first base and has 14 RBI’s on the season. Sarah Cullen (Landing, NJ/Hopatcong) and Gabby Carrullo (Chalfont/Central Bucks South) has split time at third base with McConville starting all 32 games this season in center. Freshman Jordan Rishel (Muncy/Muncy) has started 20 games in right field.
Edinboro features a solid lineup headed by sophomore pitcher Beth Mullins and senior second baseman Dana Webb. Mullins pitched in every one of Edinboro’s eight games this week and has a 13-9 overall record on the season with a 2.28 ERA. In 147.1 innings worked, Mullins has allowed 143 hits while striking out 105 and walking 37. Webb is one of the top power hitters in the conference; Mullins is having an extraordinary season hitting at a .462 clip with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs. Kutztown (48-8-1, 15-1) is ranked 10th in the nation in the latest NFCA NCAA Division II national poll. The Golden Bears are ranked second in the Atlantic Regional and are coming off their third straight PSAC East crown. Steph Denlinger has a .434 batting averaging with 20 home runs and 53 RBI. The senior is the all-time NCAA Division II home run leader. Kutztown also features three Canadian standouts in Krista Cameron (.378, 9 HR, 47 RBI), Ashley Fritzgerald (.368. 11 HR, 40 RBI) and Kim Morrison (.322, 4 HR, 13 RBI). Katlin Arbogst is Kutztown’s top pitcher with an 18-5 record and 1.39 ERA. Fans will be able to follow all of Mansfield’s games by Live Stats. A link is available at GoMounties.com. 2009 PSAC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT At Kutztown Friday, April 24 Game 1 – (W2) Edinboro (24-17) vs. (C3) Mansfield (14-18), 11:00 a.m. Game 2 – (E1) Kutztown (41-8-1) vs. Game 1 winner, 1:00 p.m. Game 3 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3:00 p.m. (loser eliminated) Saturday, April 25 Game 4 – Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 1:00 p.m. Game 5 – Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner (if necessary, should game 3 winner win game 4) At Lock Haven Friday, April 24 Game 1 – (E2) Shippensburg (23-15) vs. (W3) Slippery Rock (19-21), 11:00 a.m. Game 2 – (C1) Lock Haven (38-5) vs. Game 1 winner, 1:00 p.m. Game 3 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3:00 p.m. (loser eliminated) Saturday, April 25 Game 4 – Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 1:00 p.m. Game 5 – Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner (if necessary, should game 3 winner win game 4) At California(Pa.) Friday, April 24 Game 1 – (C2) Bloomsburg (29-7) vs. (E3) East Stroudsburg (20-19), 11:00 a.m. Game 2 – (W1) California(Pa.) (32-6) vs. Game 1 winner, 1:00 p.m. Game 3 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3:00 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Saturday, April 25 Game 4 – Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 1:00 p.m. Game 5 – Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner (if necessary, should game 3 winner win game 4)
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MANSFIELD –
You would expect that a team that reached the PSAC playoffs for the first time
in its30-year history would just be happy to be there.
Ariel/Western Wayne) the only senior on the team, Mansfield was expected
to be at least a year away from a playoff berth.
Melissa
Baer has been a gritty performer on the mound this year with a 6-8 record in 23
appearances. In 111.0 innings worked, Baer has allowed 116 hits and struck out
71 while walking 41. Bishop is 8-9 on the season with a 8-9 mark in 19
appearances. She has appeared in 89.0 innings allowing 103 hits with 69
strikeouts and 28 walks.