Under the direction of first year head coach Nikki Runzo,
the Penn State Altoona softball team will play the role of underdog in 2008 and
attempt to make their first trip to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference
playoffs since 2004. The Lions were picked eighth in the AMCC Preseason Coaches
Poll and return six lettermen from last year’s 6-24 squad.
“I think our overall talent level and enthusiasm could help
us turn some heads this year,” noted Runzo, who played scholastically at
Blairsville and graduated from IUP in 2006. “The players have responded well
during practice and we’re excited to get out on the field and start competing.”
The team is without a single upperclassman as all 17
players on the roster are of either freshmen or sophomore standing. The Lions
return their starting catcher from a year ago, Penns Valley alumnus Kara Myers,
who hit .256 and belted 21 hits. Fellow Penns Valley product Emily Cummins is
also back on the diamond after leading the team in innings pitched (109) and
sporting a 4.87 earned run average in 2007.
Two outfielders are also back from a season ago in
sophomores Kate Markstein and Tyrone native Ashley Ripka. Both are known for
their speed and defensive prowess, combining to steal 12 bases in 14 attempts
and committing just eight errors last season. Aisha Kassam and Melissa Claver
will provide depth and leadership for the Lions, who lost almost their entire
starting infield.
“We will rely heavily on the sophomores in a number of
ways throughout the season,” said Runzo. “We need those six players to take
charge and help our freshmen quickly get accustomed to softball at the
collegiate level. At the same time, the sophomores have only been here one
year, so they will be learning and developing as well. It will be a maturation
process for all of us, but we cannot use our inexperience as an excuse.”
The 11 freshmen on this year’s team will literally be
learning on the fly. Some will be starters and many will be needed to make an
instant impact if the Lions expect to rack up wins. Pitcher/outfielder Callie
Lyle, a Brockway native, will fill the void left by former Altoona hurler Janice
Ashenfelder while another Tyrone grad, Megan Turiano, is poised to take over at
shortstop. Nicolette Stimely has excelled at third base, and classmates Karen
Keim, Jacquelyn Ross, and Lindsey Laudermilch should also help out at the plate
and in the field.
“It’s no secret that to have success this year, we will
need major contributions from all the freshmen,” noted Runzo, who also serves as
the Assistant Director of Recreation at Penn State Altoona. “This is a talented
bunch, and as long as they continue to work hard in practice, I believe things
will work out for the better.”
Altoona will have to improve in a number of areas to remain
competitive against the traditional conference powerhouses Pitt-Bradford, Penn
State Behrend, and La Roche. The 2007 Lions hit just .235 and had a team ERA of
6.16. The squad committed 59 errors compared to 41 miscues by its opponents and
finished with an on-base percentage of 28.9%. Nine of the Lions’ losses were by
two runs or less but 14 of the setbacks were by four or more scores.
Of course, the other major challenge for all teams in
cold-weather environments is actually getting outside to practice. Altoona has
been doing as much as possible inside the gymnasium but probably won’t step onto
the field for the first time until it arrives in Myrtle Beach this weekend.
“Everyone is basically in the same situation as far as
practicing indoors,” said Runzo. “We have to make the best of the situation and
really take advantage of the time down south. Even though the games count, it
gives us a chance to tweak our lineup, evaluate our players, and analyze the
team before conference season begins the following week.”
The Lions depart for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on
Saturday to play a series of nine games against teams from all over the east.
Saturday, March 22, is the squad’s home opener against Medaille College at 1:00
PM at the Ivyside Athletic Field. Runzo was named the third head coach in
program history on January 22 after former bench boss Brenda Palmer stepped
down. She will be assisted by Steve Crider and Debbie Wasko.
