Erie, Pa.—For the first time in program history the Mercyhurst Softball team plays in an NCAA Tournament game this week. The tournament kicks off on Thursday in Kutztown as the Lakers play West Virginia Wesleyan to open the regional.
1. The Matchup
The Lakers and Bobcats already played once this season at the Spring Games in Winter Haven, Florida, Mercyhurst fell 1-0 in a pitching duel that Morgan Hilty allowed just the one run in six innings of work. West Virginia Wesleyan has won four of the last five games against the Lakers all of which have been in the first few weeks of the season.
2. Postseason Honors
The PSAC announced their postseason awards on Wednesday and the Lakers landed four players on the first team and one on the second team while Head Coach Leanne Baker was named PSAC West Coach of the Year for the second straight season.
Marisa Cartellone, Allison Dejidas, Hilty, and Madison Fry were all named to the PSAC West First Team while Cheyenne Hindman was named to the PSAC West Second Team. The Conference Commissioner's Association also announced their All-Atlantic Region teams on Wednesday, Fry was named to the second team as a catcher. Fry and Hilty were both also named all-region second team by the NFCA.
3. Which Kind Of Cheese This Time?
The Lakers have been one of the best teams in the region in the circle as they have a combined ERA of 2.65. Hilty and Mikaela Schramski have been the one-two punch for the Lakers this season. They have combined for 47 appearances and have accounted for all but one start. Hilty has a 1.91 ERA, a 14-6 record, and has hurled 15 complete games. Opponents are hitting .254 against her while she has recorded 61 strikeouts. Schramski has been the more overpowering pitch striking out 126 batters while having a 2.96 ERA. As a staff the Lakers have 208 k's and opposing hitters are hitting under .260 against them.
4. Historic Season
Mercyhurst has won 32 games to this point of the season which is the most in program history. After winning three games at the PSAC Tournament for the first time, the Lakers advanced to their first ever PSAC Championship against Kutztown on Sunday. After traveling back from Quakertown following the PSAC Tournament, the Lakers sat and waited to see if they would earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Following nearly a 25-minute selection show, the Lakers heard their name be called.
5. Regional Overview
There are two pods in the Atlantic Region, in the pod with the Lakers is the top seed Kutztown, the eighth seed Fairmont State, and the fifth seed West Virginia Wesleyan. The four teams will play a double elimination tournament with the winner moving on the Super Regional. The advancing team will play the team who comes out of the other Atlantic pod. That pod includes Seton Hill (second seed), Bloomsburg (three seed), Shippensburg (six seed), and Clafin (seven seed), the Lakers have wins against each team in that pod except for Clafin this season.
