The Penn State Nittany Lions will be on the rise after coming off a season as they were the twelfth and final team to get into the Big Ten Softball tournament last year. Head Coach Amanda Lehotak is ready to start the season. “This is the best time of the year,” Lehotak said. “We still have some things to work on, but I can’t wait to start the season. I love the group that I have right now and we are ready to go,” Lehotak continued.
The Circle will be led by senior pitcher Jessica Cummings who has battled injuries throughout her career. “If she can maintain being healthy, she could have one of her best years yet,” Lehotak said. “Not a lot of people know a lot about her because she has been injured. I think she can have a great year.” Lehotak continued
Madison Shaffer will also be a major player on the Penn State staff as she appeared 12 times last season and struck out 17 batters last season. Madey Smith will also be coming back from an injury and hopes to have a big year this season. She made 16 appearances on the mound as a freshman last season and also had a complete game last year.
The Infield will have a lot of new faces for Penn State this season. After losing a lot to graduation expect a lot of new faces in the infield. As Penn State will not have a single returner in the infield this year. Senior Gianna ArrIzurieta will be at shortstop this season after playing second base at the end of last season.
The Outfield will also have some new faces as many infielders will be moving to the outfield. Tori Dubois will be making her return to outfield and Toni Polk will be moving from the infield to the outfield. There are still some things to be figured out in the outfield, but Lehotak says you will see one of the fastest outfields at Penn State. “You are going to see one of the fastest outfields and one of the most athletic outfields at Penn State,” Lethoak says.
Penn State did not have the season that they wanted but Lehotak likes the young team that she has. “Last year is not the win loss record that they wanted,” Lehotak said. “Going to work with this team challenges us as coaches. I do believe that this is the group that puts themselves out there and really have a good season. This has been a very good group to work with.” Lehotak continued.
Big Ten Softball is always full of surprises and Lehotak says that this could be the year where another break out team surprises everyone. “I think a team like us could surprise a lot of people,” Lehotak said. “There are a lot of teams knocking on the door right now. You see more and more teams getting to regionals. I think all 14 teams are going beat each other up this year on the diamond. The conference is getting better every year and it will be a race to the finish this year in the Big Ten conference,” Lehotak said.
Penn State opens the season on February 9th with Ole Miss and Lipscomb in Gulf Shores, Alabama. They will open Big Ten Play March 23rd against Maryland.