With a program-record 33-win season already in the books, Penn College’s all-sophomore and freshman softball team has already exceeded expectations. As it heads into NCAA Division III Regional play starting on Thursday, coach Amber Savage’s goal is simple: “Compete with joy, stay true to who we are, and continue playing our brand of softball.
“We’re excited for the challenge and grateful for the opportunity. This group has earned the right to be here, and we’re looking forward to seeing how far their belief and preparation can take them.”
Region top-seed Mount Union (29-6) will host the double elimination tournament in Alliance, Ohio, and open play against fourth-seed Lebanon Valley College (26-15) at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Third-seeded Penn College (33-7) will square off against second-seed Christopher Newport University (28-11) at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. CNU is making its fifth-consecutive NCAA appearance and 23rd in program history while claiming the 2022 National Championship.
Thursday’s winners will clash at 11 a.m. on Friday, and Thursday’s losers will meet in an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Other games are scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. on Saturday, and, if necessary, 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The winner will advance to the Super Regional round.
This is Penn College’s third consecutive trip to nationals, and fourth in six years, still seeking its first win. After capturing United East Conference crowns in 2021 and 2024 to claim the automatic qualifier, the Wildcats are advancing for the second year in a row after finishing as the UE runner-up to Penn State Brandywine. Because Brandywine is still in its provisional timeline of transitioning to Division III, it is ineligible to go on.
In last Friday and Saturday’s UE Final Four, third-seeded Penn College went 2-2 with wins over No. 2 seed Wilson College and No. 5 Penn State Harrisburg, and losses to top-seeded Brandywine.
“This squad showed a lot of maturity and resilience throughout the UEC postseason. They competed with poise, stayed connected, and proved that their preparation and belief in one another could carry them through big moments. What they accomplished, especially as such a young roster, speaks volumes about their work ethic and their commitment to growing every day,” Savage said.
“We knew we had talent, but what stood out was how quickly they bought into our culture and elevated each other. Did I envision this kind of season? I envisioned growth, grit and competitiveness, and they exceeded every expectation by how consistently they showed up for one another,” the coach continued.
In the circle, sophomore Mackenzi Tice, of Mansfield, has been the workhorse, throwing 402 pitches in four complete-game efforts in the UE tournament while improving to 22-4 overall. Tice has a 1.72 ERA, with 191 strikeouts and 71 walks on the season.
“Tice is a competitor in every sense. As a former pitcher, I know there’s a point where fatigue naturally sets in, but effectiveness becomes less about the number and more about mentality, mechanics, and the ability to stay present pitch-to-pitch,” Savage said. “The key to pushing through tough stretches is trust. Trusting your preparation, trusting your defense, and trusting your own toughness. She embodied that all weekend and then some.”
Among the team’s offensive leaders are Ryleigh Rinker, of Poway, California, who is batting .453; Payton Crawford, of Bloomsburg, hitting .446 with a team-best 18 doubles, six home runs, 47 RBIs and 13 stolen bases; Sofia Mileto, of Loyalsock Township, hitting .422, with a team-high five triples and 46 runs scored; and Taylor Brown, of Bellefonte, hitting .412.
Starting on Aug. 1 of this year, the transfer portal will become mandatory for all Division III athletes.
“It will certainly change the landscape for all. The transfer portal, they say, will make D-III softball more fluid, more competitive and more strategic,” Savage said. “Programs with strong culture, clear communication, and academic appeal like ours will thrive. Those who rely solely on traditional high school recruiting will eventually fall behind, but time will tell. For now, I love the traditional way of recruiting and building the squad right in front of you.”
Clearly, so far it has paid off well for Penn College.
Regional by the numbers
Penn College (3)
Record: 33-7, Team batting average: .355, Opposition batting average: .252, Runs scored: 279, Runs allowed: 136. Leading hitters: Ryleigh Rinker .453, Payton Crawford .446, Sofia Mileto .422, Taylor Brown .412. Staff ERA: 2.68. Top pitcher: Mackenzi Tice 1.72 ERA, 22-4 record, 191 K, 71 BB.
Christopher Newport (2)
Record: 28-11, Team batting average: .355, Opposition batting average: .285, Runs scored: 312, Runs allowed: 220. Leading hitters: Candace Slaw .482, Alexas Gordon .452. Staff ERA: 4.34. Top pitchers: Caroline Alger 1.39 ERA, 7-0, 36 K, 12 BB; Cora Grace Sparger 5.22 ERA, 12-6, 38 K, 67 BB; Haylee Callahan 5.28 ERA, 6-3, 34 K, 66 BB. NOTE: Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference champion CNU is making its fifth-consecutive NCAA appearance and 23rd in program history while claiming the 2022 National Championship. The Captains, ranked 26th in D-III, were an NCAA Super Regional team in 2024 and a Final Four squad in 2023.
Mount Union (1)
Record: 29-6, Team batting average: .352, Opposition batting average: .208, Runs scored: 226, Runs allowed: 82. Leading hitters: Allison Jones .417, Kendyll Cahill .404. Staff ERA: 2.05. Top pitchers: Emma Reemsnyder 1.15 ERA, 6-1, 32 K, 19 BB; Cahill 1.94, 19-2, 84 K, 28 BB. NOTE: Mount Union is ranked No. 11 among D-III teams.
Lebanon Valley (4)
Record: 26-15, Team batting average: .321, Opposition batting average: .277, Runs scored: 211, Runs allowed: 154. Leading hitters: Holly Grube .480, Maddy Gronback .442. Staff ERA: 3.08. Top pitchers: Abby Reed 2.94, 8-8, 41 K, 12 BB; Miley Beachel 3.09, 11-4, 53 K, 27 BB; Grube 3.95, 6-3, 28 K, 19 BB. NOTE: The Dutchmen and Wildcats were in the Cleveland Regional a season ago, where Lebanon Valley earned a 5-1 victory in the head-to-head matchup. Lebanon Valley won the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom crown.
For additional information, visit the Wildcats Athletics website . For more about the United East, visit the conference website . For more about Division III softball championships, visit the NCAA website .
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