GREENSBURG, PA – West Chester University used a three-run fifth inning and a stellar pitching performance from freshman
Mary Picozzi (Collegeville, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) to a 4-2 victory over host Seton Hill and a conference championship Saturday afternoon at the SHU Softball Complex.
West Chester (30-14) captured its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title since 2017 and second overall with the two-game sweep over Seton Hill (32-14). Fifth-year senior
Courtney Stump (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) was named the tournament's most valuable player.
"I couldn't be more proud of this group," West Chester head coach
Diane Lokey said. "With everything that has gone on this year, I mean we practiced on zoom in the fall, they never let that be used as an excuse.
"I pulled the seniors aside during our doubleheader at East Stroudsburg, and I told them that they have to lead. Nobody is going to give it to you. They responded. They put in the extra effort. (Stump) has been on fire lately, and Garber has been there doing what she does."
The host Griffins jumped out on top 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning. However, the Golden Rams answered with three of their own in the bottom half. SHU clawed back with one more in the sixth, making it a 3-2 game. But, WCU picked up an insurance tally in their ensuing at bats, and then rode senior righty
Jen Hanshaw (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) to the victory.
Picozzi (13-7) got the ball to start the game. She threw the first five frames, scattering five hits and allowing two runs – only one of them earned – to pick up the win. She becomes the first true freshman to win a conference championship-clinching game since Lock Haven's Kristin Erb did it in 2006. Hanshaw came on in relief in the sixth and allowed just two base-runners to earn her third save of the season.
"These three-game series' have been vital to the growth of our younger players," Lokey added. "Remember, (Picozzi) didn't have a high school senior season, and she didn't have a travel ball season. Her confidence is growing every game."
"We have nothing but confidence in her," Stump threw in. "She has gotten the job done in pressure situations all season."
Stump finished the two-game series 4-for-7 with three RBI. Both Stump and fellow classmate,
Bri Garber (Willow Street, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) were members of West Chester's PSAC championship squad in 2017. They are now the only two softball players in school history to win two titles.
"The past 24 hours were just crazy," Stump said. "But, when we got the news that the whole team would be able to play (in the championship series), we had that 'all-in' feeling and we left it all out on the field. Being a part of that 2017 team was incredible, and now to experience that same feeling again is just amazing. It was a no-brainer to come back."
Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the fifth, West Chester loaded the bases with nobody out.
Grace Aguilar (Frederica, Del./Lake Forest) hit a bunt single,
Olivia Mock (Clifton, Va./Paul V. Catholic) singled to right and Garber hit a bunt single to third base.
Madison Melvin (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca) drew a walk that forced home Aguilar, and
Jaime Klemas (South Brunswick, N.J./South Brunswick) and Stump each followed with sacrifice flies to give West Chester a 3-1 advantage.
In the sixth, Seton Hill put runners on first and second with one out. Nichole McClendon bunted back to the pitcher's circle, but Hanshaw's throw sailed into right field, allowing Jenna Osikowicz to score, making it a 3-2 ballgame with still one out and runners now at the corners. The next play may very well have sealed the fate of the Griffins.
Christiana Skrabak grounded a ball to short that Mock scooped up and threw over to first to get the batter. However, Lauren Dellett, running at third base, never broke for home on contact. Instead, she hesitated until Mock threw over to first. Stump caught Mock's throw, stepped on the bag and threw home where catcher
Haleigh Karcher (Thomas Jefferson, Pa./Jefferson Hills) applied the tag on Dellett in time to complete an inning-ending double play and preserve the Golden Rams' one-run lead.
"That double play gave us all the momentum we needed," Stump added. "It brought a lot of energy into our dugout for sure."
Garber finished Saturday's game 2-for-4 with a run scored while Mock went 2-for-3 with the sac fly. The 6 thru 8 hitters in the lineup went a combined 6-for-15, picking up all the other hits outside of Garber's pair from the leadoff spot in the order.
The Golden Rams earn the PSAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament and the Atlantic Regional, which will take place in Kutztown, Pa., next Wednesday thru Saturday. They will find out who their opponent is when the field is announced on the selection show.
