Although no listing for the word “four-peat” can be found in
Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, it is one of the goals of the
Pitt-Bradford softball team as the Lady Panthers open their 2006
campaign in Florida on Sunday.
The Lady Panthers are the reigning Allegheny Mountain Collegiate
Conference champs for three years running and are the coaches’
pre-season selection to make it four straight this year.
“That’s the plan,” said Tina Phillips, the Pitt-Bradford
third-year (48-22-1) head coach. “We’ve won the championship the
last few years, so it’s no surprise the other coaches picked us No.
1. Our other goals are to win 30 games and also win the AMCC
regular season.”
A year ago the Lady Panthers were 26-14-1 overall and finished
three games (13-5) behind first-place La Roche College in the final
AMCC standings, but Pitt-Bradford swept the field in the league
tournament and then split four games in the NCAA Division III
Tournament. A 2-1 win over Thomas More College in Ohio was the
first NCAA triumph for any sport at Pitt-Bradford.
The main reason for the Lady Panthers’ recent success is their
pitching, and this year the tradition continues with two
outstanding hurlers in junior Kristy Zavinski of Warren and
sophomore Malloy Kane of Smethport.
Zavinski (13-6) fanned 53 batters in 119 innings, had a 3.01 ERA
last season and also hit .302 as the extra hitter. Kane (10-5)
whiffed 115 in 117 frames and sported a 2.68 ERA.
“Pitching is huge is softball,” Phillips stated. “Having Mallory
(Kane) and Kristy (Zavinski) back is why we are where we are.
Kristy is game-savvy and locates her pitches. Mallory can overpower
hitters and get the strikeouts. They both worked hard in the
off-season and got stronger. Freshman Misty McCann (Rixford) will
also see some action onthe mound and she is coming along
nicely.”
The starting catcher is sophomore Jessica Keane of Bradford, who
hit just .209 but had an impressive .956 fielding percentage.
Keane’s backups are sophomore Tiffany Washington (.273) of York and
sophomore transfer Jen Cole of Smethport.
“Jessica Keane took over the bulk of the catching at the end of
last season,” Phillips recalled. “We think she will be better
handling the pitchers and also at the plate.”
The first baseman is senior Keelan Holt (.299) of Honeoye (N.Y.)
with Cole and sophomore Nicole Ewings of Olean (N.Y.) backing her
up.
“Keelan Holt finished up last year at that position (1B) and
hopefully she’ll have another strong season,” Phillips
declared.
Second base is still a mystery among freshmen LeeAnn Kramer of
Perkasie, Michelle Kushner from McKees Rocks and Haley Germano of
Sharpsville.
“We have some options at second base with the three freshmen,”
Phillips offered. “That’s the biggest spot we have to fill.”
The shortstop is junior Brittany McLean of Emporium, who had a
marvelous year in 2005. McLean finished second in the nation in
Division III triples with 11. She was also first in the AMCC
rankings in average (.476), was second in home runs (7) and placed
third in RBIs (43).
“Brittany McLean has speed and power,” Phillips said. “She gives
us a lot of versatility because she can play in the outfield as
well.”
Third base belongs to senior Michelle Pushinsky of Albion, who
hit .301 last year and registered a .963 fielding average at the
hot corner.
“Michelle Pushinsky is solid and anchors that third base spot,”
Phillips noted.
The outfield appears to be junior Jamie Keane of Bradford in
left and the speedy junior Catrina Retterer (.273) of Clarendon in
center. Right field will be junior Nicole Fries of Dunshore,
Kushner or McLean. Freshman Megan Wintersteen of Catawissa could
also see some action out there.
“Catrina Retterer is in her third year and is a little stronger
this year,” Phillips noticed. “Jamie Keane has a lot of speed and a
good arm.”
“The thing I like about this team is the athleticism,” Phillips
continued. “We can mix things up because we have a lot depth.”
The Lady Panthers will begin a 10-game slate in Fort Pierce with
a doubleheader versus King’s College on Sunday. The sojourn to a
warmer climate also includes a twinbill with Division II Davis
& Elkins on Tuesday.
“We’re going down there and mix things up to see what works for
us,” Phillips declared. “It’s a lot different seeing your team in
the gym and then going outside.”
The AMCC portion of the schedule commences March 29 with the
home opener against Lake Erie College.
“La Roche, Frostburg State and Medaille will be tough again this
year,” Phillips surmised. “Penn State Behrend had a strong
recruiting class and will surprise some people.
“Our team is really focused and they want to take what they did
last year a little further,” Phillips added. “I like the
aggressiveness and confidence they have, but our pitching has to
stay healthy and we have to make the most of our opportunities in
close games.”
Phillips will be aided by assistant coach Daly Fuller and
student assistant Lindsay Fuller.
