8 The Behrend Beacon
Lions softball team poised to
repeat as AMCC champions
By Nick Blake
sports editor
nph5041 ,,, psu.edu
Winter is a long and bitterly
cold season in Erie. Pa, but
there are signs that this season
is coming to an end.
It is a sure sign that spring is
coming when the ping of an
aluminum bat, or the slap of a
leather mitt echoes through
the air.
The Penn State
softball team is back
and they are looking
the successful season
last year.
Last year, the Lions won the
AMCC championship. It was
the Blue and White's second
championship in three years.
Behrend senior Nikki Kaschaue stands in the batter's box awaiting an
incoming pitch
Rachel went
17-1 in last
week's
games and
has a com-
manding
lead.
Christine
comes in
second while
Connor is
one game
behind her.
Nick is
fourth while
Matt is in
last place.
Want to
play?
Email
censos6@ps
u.edu for a
list of next
week's
games to see
if you can
"beat the
experts."
The Lions had an overall
record of 33-14 and had a
record of 13-5 in AMCC play.
The Lions also earned the
leagues automatic hid to play
in the NCAA tournament.
This season, the Lions have
been picked to repeat as
AMCC champions, and Head
Coach Stacy Pondo is confi
dent in the team's chances.
"I feel pretty confident as to
where we are, however, there
is always something that needs
worked on," Pondo said.
Behrend
in action
to repeat
they had
The team just returned from
Florida and posted a 6-4 record
in their spring training, and
Pondo plans on getting all of
the kinks out of the machine.
"We are currently working
on some of the problem areas
Beat The Experts
NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
Tenn. vs. Oklahoma St
Utah St. vs. #2.3 Marquette
E Tenn. St. v,.Pitt
Dayton'.. W. Vinlinia
USC vs. Boston Cone' 2.e
Portland St. s. #2O XaN ier
WiNCOnSi \N. #l6 Florida St. Flat. St
temple v s. #l9 Arl/ona St
Cornell '. #9 Missouri
NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Drexel ‘s. Kansas St
Gonta2a vs. #2O Xa\ ici
Montana #l5 Pittsbun2,ll Pitt
Charlotte vs. Purdue
# AOUIII
Marist vs. Viro.inia
Fresno St. vs. ltl3 CalilOnna Cal
Georgia vs. Arizona St
San Dice° St. 's. DePaul DePaul
Season Totals:
that we noticed in Florida,"
Pondo said. "Our goal is to
concentrate on one game at a
time while getting stronger
each game that we play. We
want to make sure the team
peaks at the right time."
The Blue and White have
eight returning seniors this
season, including Katie
Whitby, who is a three-time
first team all-AMCC member.
Whitby posted a .388 batting
average last season, had 57
hits, seven triples and two
homeruns
Also returning as a senior is
second baseman Nikki
Kaschauer. Kaschauer was
selected as a second team all-
AMCC member in 2008.
Kaschauer led the team with
a .405 batting average last sea
son, and had a 20 game hit
streak.
Kaschauer led the AMCC in
hits with 60, and scored 34
runs with 34 runs batted in.
Pondo is impressed with the
play of the two senior leaders.
"I would expect nothing less.
Both are off to great starts this
year," Pondo said. "They are
both great leaders and are will
ing to help out and teach the
underclassmen every aspect of
the game of softball."
Pondo also stressed the fact
that everyone on the team is
extremely important.
"Not only have Nikki
(Kaschauer) and Katie
(Whitby) been major contribu
tors, but also the other seniors:
Allison Babish, Lindsay
Baughman, Laura Frischkorn,
Rachelle Lawrence, Cassie
Miksic and Julie Koman,"
Pondo said.
"The special part about our
team is that you do not always
have to have the big numbers,
it could be anyone whether it is
a senior or a freshman that
steps up at the right time. Each
person has made many contri
butions at any given time."
On the defensive side of the
ball, the Blue and White have a
very solid starting pitcher
returning in senior Julie
Koman.
Koman was named the
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
this year, and is a three-time
first team all-conference selec
tion.
Koman finished last season
Connor Matt
Okla. St
Marquette
Marquette
W.V U
WV.O
Bust. C. Bost. C. Bost. C
Xavier
Hon St
Temple
Missouri
Missouri
Kaim. St. Drexel
Xavier
Xavier
Purdue
Purdue
Auburn
\Own
Virginia
Virunia
A .S . U . Georgia
Georg i a
DePaul DePaul
65-60 85-40
77-48
SPORTS
with staggering numbers, lead
ing the AMCC in all major
pitching statistics.
She had a 1.60 ERA and 156
strikeouts in 161.2 innings
pitched, and was ranked
nationally in wins and hits
allowed. She completed 14
games and posted a 20-6
record.
Pondo knows that Koman is
a big contributor to the team,
and she also is a great team
mate.
"Julie (Koman) has definitely
put up some amazing num
bers. She has proved that she
belongs on the mound and is a
major contributor to the team,"
Pondo said. "One of the traits
that I like about her is she is
always willing to help out and
support her teammates no
matter what type of situation
we are in."
The senior class isn't the
only group of players con
tributing to the Lions' success.
The underclassmen have been
huge factors in the team's win
ning ways.
"We have a pretty strong
underclassmen class," Pondo
said. "As sophomores, Maddie
Wieser will get some playing
time on the mound and at first
base. Lia Sorce is in our start
ing rotation in the outfield and
has provided depth at bat by
hitting two homeruns in
Florida with additional hits
along the way. Beth Papalia
will provide depth at second
base for us this year."
The team just returned from
Florida from spring training
and earned a key win against
Ithica and now are ready for
regular season play.
The regular season opens up
for the Blue and White, on the
road, on March 25 againo
Medaille. Pondo says the teaita,
is ready to get going.
"We are definitely ready to
get outside and play ball. Being
inside does not always give you
the same perspective as being
outside," Pondo said. "We look
forward to getting outside to
practice and play as much as
possible."
With a solid core of return
ing players, and an up and
coming underclassmen group,
the Behrend Lions look good to
repeat as AMCC champions.
Rachel
Okla. St. Tenn
Marquette
W. V. U
Xavier
Flor. St
A.S .0
Missouri
Gonzaga
Purdue
Auburn
Virginia
Christine
Okla. St
Marquette Marquette
W. V. U . W. V. U
Bost. C. Bost. C
Xavier
Xavier
Flor. St
Flor. St
A.S .0
A.S .0
Missouri
Missouri
Drexel
Kans. St
Xavier
Xavier
Purdue
Purdue
Auburn
Auburn
Mari st
Virginia
A.S .0
Georgia
DePaul
DePaul
68-57
78-47
Top: Penn State Behrend senior pitcher Julie Koman
Bottom: Head Coach Stacy Pondo hits fly balls to get her outfielder.~
ready for the game
THIS WEEK'S I
SPORTS SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
The Men's Tennis team (3-6) plays Pitt-Bradford 11-that
home at 3 p.m.
The Behrend Baseball team (7-1) plays at Frostburg St. (7-7)
at I p.m.
The Women's Water Polo team (0-31 has an exhibition game at
Chatham (N/A) at 4 p.m.
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
Traveling to Washington and Jefferson -5). the Women's Water
Polo team plays at 10 a.m.
TUESDAY, MARCH 24
The Men's Tennis team plays another home match at
2 p.m. against Pitt-Greensburg (N/A).
The Baseball team travels to Fredonia (7-1) Ibr a 2 p.m. game
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
The Softball team (6-4) plays at Medal Ile (6-4)at 3 p.m
The Baseball team takes on Medaille (2-4) at home at
1 p.m.
I
LAST WEEK'S
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
M. Tennis: Behrend 0 Trine 9
All scores based from Sports Calendar and Mill% idual team page results. If sour sport
is not listed and you feel that it he. contact censMiatp,ll.ettli
Friday, March 20, 2009
home games in hold
SPORTS
All wins in italic Wv!