April 2014 Penn State Beaver Roar
Sports
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Lady Lions step up as leaders Marcus Smith Staff Writer
mas6432@psu.edu
The Penn State Beaver Lady Lions softball team is struggling with a 2-8 conference record, 2-12 overall. The team lost its first four conference games, two doubleheaders. On April 1, Penn State Fayette won 13-7 and 5-0, while April 5 Penn State Mont Alto won 7-2 and 13-2. Beaver split the doubleheader April 6 against Penn State New Kensington, winning its first conference matchup 13-8 but losing 13-4 in the second game. Most recently, the team split a doubleheader with Penn State Schuylkill April 12, losing 3-2 and winning 11-3. Beaver also lost a doubleheader April 13 to Penn State Brandywine, 9-8 and 12-11.
Coach Andy Kirschner said pitching is his big concern this year. “This year the (team) lost Korey Freyermuth who was a pitcher and a third baseman (and) also a leader for the team,” Kirschner said, noting that Freyermuth’s graduation left a huge void fill. Kirschner said two other pitchers are also out. “So the pitchers we have left are working hard to fill that void.” Last year, the team took its second-consecutive Penn State University Athletic Conference championship. “We are going to have to battle to win our third-straight PSUAC title,” Kirschner said. There are only two seniors, Lauren Pier and Nicole Bowersox, remaining on the team. Leadership is coming from every angle this year.
“The leadership comes from more than just the coaches and captains. (Sophomores) Taylor Larson and Rachael Charlier have stepped up to be leaders as well,” Pier said. “We all hold each other accountable. The leadership is not from just one or two people.” Freshman Kelsey Brooks said that new or old, all of the players are ready to step up and start winning. “We still have a lot of games left, and we know what we need to do,” Brooks said. “There are a bunch of lower classman that are all on board to win and experience a positive attitude, even when things are going bad.” Though the season isn’t off on a strong start, Brooks said she isn’t too worried. “It’s still early. I feel we can step it up and get on the right track.”
The ROAR/Dante Massey
Lauren Pier stands on the base awaiting the next pitch aganist Penn State Brandywine April 13.