Penn College softball looks to keep making statements
Published 02.26.2023
News
Athletics
Wildcat Weekly
During its first two full seasons under coach Angela Stackhouse, the Pennsylvania College of Technology softball team has made program statements.
In 2021, the Wildcats went 19-5 overall, capturing the United East Conference tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Division III Regionals for the first time in history.
Last year, they went 28-9 (the most wins ever in a season, including a program-record 15-game win streak) and captured the regular-season conference title before finishing second in the UE postseason.
With a deep, talented roster of veterans and several newcomers with immediate impact potential, this year’s squad is poised to continue those winning ways when it opens its 37-game regular season on Monday, March 6, against Medaille College and Gettysburg College in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Among the team’s key returning players are pitchers Kyla Benner, of Bethlehem, and Mackenzie Weaver, of Montoursville; first baseman Jordan Specht, of Frederick, Maryland; shortstop Maddie Hurst, of Mechanicsburg; and catcher/third baseman Ivvy Morder, of Mechanicsburg.
A year ago, Benner, a senior, was the United East Pitcher of the Year, along with being named to the UE first team and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III All-Region third team; Weaver, a sophomore, earned UE first-team honors; Specht, a senior, was named to the all-region third team; and seniors Hurst and Morder were named to the UE second team.
Stackhouse said freshmen who could contribute early are left-handed pitcher Johanna Devore, of Montoursville; and second basemen Mackenzie Houck, of Petersburg; and third baseman Colleen Cole, of Clarks Green.
“The team is working extremely hard to reach our postseason goals,” Stackhouse said, adding, “We are staying healthy, taking advantage of the warm weather and getting outside and are looking forward to getting the season underway.
“We have a full squad and more depth than ever before in all aspects of the game. We have plenty of veterans to help platoon in a large freshman class.
“With returning both starting pitchers, four all-conference sections and two all-region selections, we will be strong in experience.”
According to the coach, areas that need work are “finding a good flow in the lineup and matchups behind a strong pitching staff in the circle before conference play begins.”
Stackhouse, assisted by Taylor Chidester, said the keys to individual and team success are “working together to reach our goals of making another regional appearance in the postseason. This is a very talented group who can do great things by keeping a team-focused mentality.
“We have a tough nonconference schedule this season and look forward to the challenge. We look for these games to make us better for the postseason.
“We look to be in the mix to compete for another conference championship and bring our valuable experience with us.”
SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Softball
Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Monday, March 6 — vs. Medaille College, 11 a.m.
Monday, March 6 — vs. Gettysburg College, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 7 — vs. Fitchburg State College, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, March 7 — vs. Cedar Crest College, 3 p.m.
For more about the United East, visit the conference website.
For additional information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
In 2021, the Wildcats went 19-5 overall, capturing the United East Conference tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Division III Regionals for the first time in history.
Last year, they went 28-9 (the most wins ever in a season, including a program-record 15-game win streak) and captured the regular-season conference title before finishing second in the UE postseason.
With a deep, talented roster of veterans and several newcomers with immediate impact potential, this year’s squad is poised to continue those winning ways when it opens its 37-game regular season on Monday, March 6, against Medaille College and Gettysburg College in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Among the team’s key returning players are pitchers Kyla Benner, of Bethlehem, and Mackenzie Weaver, of Montoursville; first baseman Jordan Specht, of Frederick, Maryland; shortstop Maddie Hurst, of Mechanicsburg; and catcher/third baseman Ivvy Morder, of Mechanicsburg.
A year ago, Benner, a senior, was the United East Pitcher of the Year, along with being named to the UE first team and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III All-Region third team; Weaver, a sophomore, earned UE first-team honors; Specht, a senior, was named to the all-region third team; and seniors Hurst and Morder were named to the UE second team.
Stackhouse said freshmen who could contribute early are left-handed pitcher Johanna Devore, of Montoursville; and second basemen Mackenzie Houck, of Petersburg; and third baseman Colleen Cole, of Clarks Green.
“The team is working extremely hard to reach our postseason goals,” Stackhouse said, adding, “We are staying healthy, taking advantage of the warm weather and getting outside and are looking forward to getting the season underway.
“We have a full squad and more depth than ever before in all aspects of the game. We have plenty of veterans to help platoon in a large freshman class.
“With returning both starting pitchers, four all-conference sections and two all-region selections, we will be strong in experience.”
According to the coach, areas that need work are “finding a good flow in the lineup and matchups behind a strong pitching staff in the circle before conference play begins.”
Stackhouse, assisted by Taylor Chidester, said the keys to individual and team success are “working together to reach our goals of making another regional appearance in the postseason. This is a very talented group who can do great things by keeping a team-focused mentality.
“We have a tough nonconference schedule this season and look forward to the challenge. We look for these games to make us better for the postseason.
“We look to be in the mix to compete for another conference championship and bring our valuable experience with us.”
SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Softball
Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Monday, March 6 — vs. Medaille College, 11 a.m.
Monday, March 6 — vs. Gettysburg College, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 7 — vs. Fitchburg State College, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, March 7 — vs. Cedar Crest College, 3 p.m.
For more about the United East, visit the conference website.
For additional information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
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