Gannon softball earns high PSAC West honors as they head into the postseason

ERIE, PA (WJET)–The Gannon University women’s softball team is heading to Quakertown for the PSAC Tournament.

The Golden Knights nailed down a seat in the playoffs on Saturday after beating Pitt-Johnstown 12-2, securing the PSAC West title.

Gannon went on to finish their regular season on an 11-game winning streak.

The team now travels to compete against the best of the best in the PSAC championships at Veterans Park.

The tournament opens up on Wednesday.

Gannon holds the number one seed in the west and will face the winner of Shippensburg and IUP.

“We played some really good teams in the beginning and one of the strengths is definitely has been our pitcher, Maggie Lenda. She has been a rock on the mound and so when our hitting wasn’t necessarily where it was, where it’s at now, she pulled us through a couple of games. Now the cylinders are all together and our hitting has just skyrocketed, and we can pull people off the bench, and they can get hits for us too. So really, it’s the entire team effort and it’s amazing to watch the play.”

Michelle Wiley, Gannon head softball coach

“Yeah we’re all definitely all psyched. This is the first time in my four years that we’ve won the west division. I think this is just a really great group of kids. We brought in a lot of talent in the freshman class this year and obviously it shows on and off the field.”

Jules Ryan, Gannon graduate student- second baseman

“We have been meshing a lot better this year than we did last year. All of the freshmen are contributing a ton and I think that the underclassman are really taking on a leadership role so I think that we’re all just jelling right at the perfect time.”

Abbey Girman, Gannon junior-outfielder

After the team departed from campus, it was announced that Maggie Lenda was named PSAC West Pitcher of the Year and head coach Michelle Wiley was honored with Coach of the Year.

Additionally, five of the Golden Knights earned PSAC West All-Conference.

Those include pitcher Maggie Lenda, first baseman Natalia Mallozzi, second baseman Jules Ryan, outfielder Emma Smerick, and designated hitter Gabi Vasi.

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