Penn State New Kensington's power-hitting catcher Rachel Lojas is expected to contend for the conference home run title. The junior co-captain also hits for average and is solid behind the plate.
New faces dominate line-up as
team prepares for Saturday's season-opener
2 p.m., Saturday, April 2, away, Penn State Beaver
UPPER BURRELL, Pa. – Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw famously said, “Youth is wasted on the young.” Penn State New Kensington softball coach Mike Marsili might take issue with the Nobel prize-winning polemicist.
Marsili is counting on young players as he will field a starting team of six freshmen when the New Kensington Lions open conference play at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 2, with a doubleheader at Penn State Beaver in Monaca, Pennsylvania. The old French proverb, “Youth must be served,” is a more appropriate aphorism for the coach.
“This year's team has a lot of new faces, but the players have experience playing in high school and on travel teams,” Marsili said. “I am expecting us to be competitive in every game and finish in the top three in the conference.”
Beginning his eighth year as head coach, which makes him the dean of campus coaches, Marsili is expecting the eclectic collection of first-year players to return New Kensington to a berth in the Penn State University Athletic Conference playoffs. The team has missed the post-season during the last three years.
Pitching and defense have been the hallmarks of all Marsili's teams, and both attributes will be on display this season. A veteran catcher will anchor the defense, which will feature rookies on the mound, at shortstop and second base and in centerfield.
“Our strength will be our pitching and our defense up the middle,” Marsili said. “We have a good pitcher, and we have good defensive players. We know which players will be out there, but we have to strengthen a couple of positions. The defense is coming along, but it is still a work in progress."
On offense, Marsili boasts speed, so bunting and stealing will help generate runs. The team also projects power, so three-run homers can help close out games.
“We haven't seen enough live pitching yet to improve, but that will change soon,” Marsili said. “We have good contact hitters and good bunters who can lay it down for base hits.”
The fledging squad will be led by a trio of veterans -- junior catcher Rachel Lojas (Norwin High School), junior outfielder Melanie Campbell and senior first baseman Sabrina Johns. Lojas, an all-conference selection in 2014, sat out last season because of shoulder surgery. The co-captain will provide leadership, as well as stability behind the plate. Lojas hits for both power and average.
“Rachel will bat cleanup and should contend for the conference lead in home runs,” Marsili said. “She has the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark on any given at bat.”
Johns hit .359 as a freshman third baseman before fracturing her wrist during her sophomore year and sitting out the 2014 season. Last year, she worked on her degree at University Park before returning to the New Kensington campus to finish her administration of justice studies. She moves across the diamond this year. Injuries also slowed down the progress of Campbell, who broke her finger in spring training during her freshman year.
“Sabrina brings a nice bat and will play first base, and Melanie will start in right field and serve as a co-captain,” Marsili said. “We need the players to adjust to their new positions as soon as possible. As with most years, the key to the season is to keep the starters healthy.”
The bulk of offensive and defensive responsibilities will be spread among newcomers. Stephanie Fritzuis will handle the pitching load. She has good control and throws a variety of pitches.
“Stephanie will be our number one pitcher,” Marsili said. “She should keep us in most games and just needs to gain confidence.”
Brittany Wolford and Becca Wilhelm will handle shortstop and second base, respectively. The Burrell graduates have played together for a few years and are comfortable with each other. Wolford can also play outfield. Shianne Bezts will cover the hot corner at third base and serve as the number two pitcher.
Madi Graham, a transfer student from Butler County Community College, will patrol centerfield and bat in the middle of the line-up. Allison Nicklaus, expected to be one of the better hitters on the team, is slated for left field. A versatile player, Nicklaus gives Marsili various options.
“We are counting on Madi to drive in runs and take control of the outfield,” Marsili said “Allison has some good pop with the bat and will play wherever she is needed.”
Marsili is anxious for the regular season to get under way. The team had preseason training in Florida during the campus’ spring break, March 7-11. The New Kensington Lions went 1-5 down south, but the trip provided an opportunity for the players to groove their swings and stabilize the defense.
“We went down to Florida as a group of individuals and came back as a team,” Marsili said. “Hopefully, they will convert the bonding time and field time to production on the field during conference play.”
After the Beaver games, the New Kensington Lions travel the next day to McKeesport for a noon doubleheader at Penn State Greater Allegheny. The first PSUAC home game is a noon doubleheader on Sunday, April 10, against Penn State Worthington Scranton at the Lions' new home, Alcoa Field. The newly renovated field is located about five minutes from campus on the property of Alcoa Technical Center at the intersection of state Rt. 780 and White Cloud Road in Upper Burrell.
Marsili's squad is set to play five doubleheaders at Alcoa Field. The 16-game schedule features all Penn State University Athletic Conference games. The original season opener March 20, at Westmoreland County Community College and home opener March 26, against Southern State Community College were canceled.
“We will eventually be a good team; I'm just not sure how long it will take for everything to come together,” Marsili said. “As with most teams, we will go as far as our pitching takes us.”
For the softball roster and full schedule, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/39082.htm
News Contact: Bill Woodard
Alumni and Public Relations
724-334-6049, uxw1@psu.edu