The PAC softball tournament boasts its host and overall top seed Westminster for the first time since 2016. The Titans ranked eighth in Region VII in the latest NCAA Division III rankings and head into the postseason having lost just two conference games.
Meanwhile, the 4-6 seeds meet in Latrobe on Tuesday for a play-in series to earn the right to play top-ranked Westminster. It will be a day jam packed with action, as sixth seeded Geneva plays fifth seeded Grove City at 3 pm. The loser will be eliminated, while the winner will play 4th seeded Saint Vincent at 5 pm Tuesday. The winner of that game plays Westminster in the double elimination portion of the tournament beginning on Thursday.
So, what does the field look like this year? Let’s take a look.
#1 WESTMINSTER (29-4, 16-2 PAC)
The Titans have been a machine this year, leading the conference in team batting average, hits, home runs and RBI while also leading the conference in team ERA.
Their two top pitchers, and two of the three top pitchers in the PAC by ERA, are Madison Brown (1.09) and Elizabeth Malczak (1.56). Their top four hitters in terms of batting average, Ashley Wire (.472), Brooke Atkins (.452), Leah Pancake (.433) and Emma Gurley (.413).
“I’ve been in this situation enough times to know that entering the tournament just ‘confident’ that you will win it, does not always work,” said head coach Jan Reddinger. “What I am confident about is that this team has the skill and determination to win. I am confident that they will give it their all every game.”
Reddinger does admit there will be some added pressure heading into this tournament as the top seed, but says they are coming in expecting every game to be a battle and she ensures they will be ready physically and mentally.
Next game: 12 pm Thursday vs. TBD (at home)
#2 WAYNESBURG (24-9, 13-5 PAC)
“This team believes in themselves, they hustle and they play fast. I’m excited to lace them up and see where we end up this weekend.” That’s what head coach Brett Shimek said about his squad heading into the PAC Tournament.
He has reasons to be excited. While it’s still almost a run difference (1.54 to 2.28), Waynesburg’s team ERA is the second-lowest behind Westminster’s in the PAC. Freshman Sydney Wilson is a star in the circle, finishing the regular season with the lowest individual ERA (1.01) while racking up 136 strikeouts. Only her and Bethany’s Josie Wise (172) reached triple digit punchouts this season.
“Sydney has great movement and velocity and she spots her ball well and that combination makes her very difficult to hit,” said head coach Brett Shimek. “Sydney has been a difference maker for us this season and she’s a big part of our overall team success.”
Another Sydney, sophomore Sydney Senay, has been a doubles machine and led the conference in two-baggers with 16. Fellow sophomore teammate Ella Brookman finished tied for second with 13. The Yellow Jackets split the two-game series against Bethany in the regular season, but outscored the Bison 12-6. More importantly, they showed they can get to top Bethany pitcher Josie Wise, who gave up eight earned runs over just 2.1 innings.
Next game: 10 am Thursday vs. #3 Bethany (at Westminster)
#3 BETHANY (19-14, 12-6)
Head coach Cassie Moore feels like her team learned some lessons and feels better prepared for a rematch against Waynesburg in the PAC tournament. “We know our team better and our hitters have found a groove and made some mid-season adjustments,” said Moore. “For us, it’s not so much trying to beat Waynesburg, but showing up to be our best selves and play our game. We when trust ourselves to pitch, hit, and play defense, that’s when we are at our best.”
Sophomore Destiny Goodnight has made a tremendous impact on the Bison in her first season, cracking the PAC top 10 in hits, runs scored, triples, stolen bases and total bases. Senior Jennifer Oberthur, is in the top 10 in RBI. Sophomore Josie Wise has been the top option in the circle and she’s struck out 172 batters through the season. That’s 36 more than anyone else in the conference.
“She’s a great spin pitcher, but what makes her so tough to beat is her mentality—she doesn’t get rattled,” said Moore. “There’s been times this season when she’ll give up a hit, a walk, or even a homerun, and she always responds by hammering the zone again and again. Josie doesn’t quit and she’s never afraid to throw the next pitch.”
Next game: 10 am Thursday vs. #2 Waynesburg (at Westminster)
#4 SAINT VINCENT (22-8, 11-7 PAC)
The Bearcats can hang with anyone offensively. They come in as the second-best hitting team in terms of batting average in the PAC (.347) with the second-highest slugging percentage (.493). They’ve got some depth in the pitching staff as well, having three pitchers finish the season in the top 10 in ERA (Bushore, Braun, Bicko…killer B’s anyone?).
They’ve got two of the most consistent hitters in the conference in sophomore Alexandra Dillner (.477 avg) and sophomore Olivia Persin (.472). This team will give itself a chance as long as it can survive the play-in round and get into the double elimination tournament.
Next game: 5 pm Tuesday vs. TBD (at home)
#5 GROVE CITY (16-16, 10-8 PAC)
Grove City can change a game with one swing of the bat, tallying up 16 home runs this year which finished second in the conference only behind Westminster. Graduate student Hannah Dietz has a conference-leading seven of them herself while sophomore Maralee Caldana has hit three. Unfortunately, it’s been the lack of consistency and ability to get on base that’s held them back, ranking in the bottom 2 in the PAC in both categories.
The Wolverines come into the play-in round after having split a series against No. 3 Bethany, outscoring the Bison 10-7. Grove City and Geneva split a series back in early April, where the Golden Tornadoes outscored them 10-7.
Next game: 3 pm Tuesday vs. #6 Geneva (at Saint Vincent)
#6 GENEVA (19-15, 9-9 PAC)
Coming off a record-breaking campaign a season ago, senior Sarah Johnson is an offensive catalyst for this team. After setting the Geneva single-season record for hits last year with 74, her 56 hits this season leads the PAC, and her conference-best 34 stolen bases (15 more than any other player) have aided in producing the most runs scored per game. Senior Nicole West cracked the top 10 in RBI as the Golden Tornadoes finished with the 5-best offense in the conference during the regular season.
They’re also right in the middle of the pack in pitching, with junior Haley Smith being one of only five pitchers in the PAC to accumulate double digit wins.
Next game: 3 pm vs. #5 Grove City (at Saint Vincent)
