Softball Prepares for USCAA National Tournament

Akron, Ohio -- Softball holds their final practice of the season at Firestone Stadium in preparation for their first game of the USCAA National Tournament tomorrow.

After going 16-4 in the PSUAC during the regular season, claiming the #1 seed in the west, Beaver traveled to Penn State Scranton for the PSUAC Conference Tournament.  After battling rainy weather and having the tournament cut short, the Lady Lions fell to Penn State Hazleton (5-1) in the semi-final game, ending their playoff push to return to the championship game.  Despite the early departure from the tournament, Beaver still earned a bid into the USCAA Softball National Tournament as the #8 seed. 

Tomorrow Beaver will face UC Clermont (#9) in their opening game of the national tournament at 12:00 p.m. in Firestone Stadium.  After being eliminated in the second round last season, Beaver looks to improve and work their way through this year's bracket.

Led by four 2017 PSUAC All-Conference players, Beaver is no stranger to Akron.  From the mound the Lady Lions are led by Vanessa Jackson who was named 1st Team All-Confernce this season.  A force in the batters box and on the mound, she led the conference in strikeouts with 101, innings pitched with 164.1 and tied for first in wins on the season with 12 to date.  Offensively, she is batting .369 with 28 RBI's, landing her in the top five in the PSUAC in that category.  On the recieving end of her pitching is catcher, Dina Cable who also earned a 1st Team nod this year.  Cable, who is having an outstanding season as well is batting .328 with 23 RBI's in 119 at bats, which is the second most in the conference.

Adding to the offensive attack are freshman, Lacey Weible and senior, Jenna Petrucci.  Earning a 2nd Team nod, Weible who led the conference in at bats with 120, is batting .392 (47 hits, 3rd in the PSUAC) with 11 RBI's and 11 stolen bases.  Jenna Petrucci was named Honorable Mention.  In only 81 at bats, she boasts an average of .333 with a home run and 2 triples.  

With only four players on the roster who didn't play with the team in Akron last season, the Lady Lions look to use their tournament experience to battle any nerves going into tomorrow's game.  As a team they are batting .309 with 7 players all batting .300 or higher.  Defensively, they are fielding nearly .950 and have signifacantly improved their communication in the field helping to eliminate errors late in the season.    

For up to the minute updates be sure to follow the live stats from the schedule tab and look for the post game social media on both Facebook and Twitter.