ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon softball team hoped to settle into the routine of playing in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in 2010. While they didn’t make the postseason, the Lady Knights played spoiler, sweeping playoff-bound Edinboro on April 20 to end the season.
In their second season of PSAC action, the Lady Knights were unable to get on track and finished 4-12 in league play. With several underclassmen seeing playing time, GU should be prepared for success in 2011.
The team went 7-5 at the Rebel Games to start the season before reeling off four straight victories at the Salem Invitational. The Knights split a doubleheader with defending national champion Lock Haven on March 27.
Gannon then went into a tailspin, dropping its first eight conference games. The team tried to climb out of the early hole, taking four out of five contests after the losing streak. It was too late, though, and the Knights had to settle for the two wins over Edinboro.
Freshman
Megan Dragon (Ashtabula, Ohio/Edgewood) led the pitching staff, going 11-8 with a 2.14 earned run average. She struck out 164 batters in 118 innings. The offense had three hitters bat over .300 this season-
Kelly Trace (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley), Kelsey Fedell (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), and
Casee Piquet (Newton Falls, Ohio/Newton Falls). Trace hit .342, while Fedell posted a .330 average. Fedell led the team with seven home runs, 27 RBIs, and a .606 slugging percentage. Piquet, one of five seniors on the team, hit .311 and recorded a .410 on-base percentage, highest on the Knights.
Freshmen Dragon, Fedell,
Sam Scott (New Baltimore, Mich./Anchor Bay),
Sarah Rinks (Fenton, Mich./Lake Fenton),
Tiffani Danks (Spartansburg, Pa./Corry Area), and
Erica Bartholow (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville Area) all saw regular time in 2010. That experience should prove valuable next season, as GU will have to replace Piquet,
Kelsey Brickman (Sylvania, Ohio/Notre Dame Academy),
Tiffany Joyce (Erie, Pa. Mercyhurst Prep),
Carol Kienzl (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and
Kristin Schalk (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial) due to graduation.
With Dragon leading the staff and much of the starting lineup returning in 2011, the Gannon softball team is in good shape for a winning season next year.