Scoreboard

Moses Juah

Softball 4/19/2023 10:04:00 PM Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Gannon Looks to Stay Hot While Hosting Clarion

CLARION GOLDEN EAGLES (16-18, 7-13 PSAC West) at GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (13-19, 12-8 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 20, 2023 I 2:00 p.m.
FACILITY/LOCATION: McConnell Family Stadium I Erie, Pa.
LIVE VIDEO
LIVE STATS

ERIE, Pa. – The weather continues to wreak havoc with the Gannon softball schedule, but through it all head coach Michelle Wiley's team has started to pick up steam in search of a 13th straight PSAC Tournament berth.

The Golden Knights return to the diamond on Thursday, April 20 hosting Clarion (16-18, 7-13 PSAC West) in a PSAC West doubleheader. The twinbill was moved from earlier in the week. Gannon's scheduled doubleheader at California (Pa.) for Saturday, April 22 has been postponed due to the impending weather forecast, but the two will finally meet for the first time on Monday, April 24 at Gannon. (NOTE: follow Gannonsports.com for schedule updates).

The Golden Knights edged the Golden Eagles in a pair of contests in Clarion on March 28, winning 2-1 in the opener and 3-2 in the nightcap. Andrea Watson's (Venus, Pa./Cranberry Area) two-run double in the fifth inning wiped out a 1-0 deficit and Gabi Vasi (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) threw a five-hitter in the opener. In the second game, Gannon rallied from an early deficit. Trailing 2-0 after an inning, the Golden Knights scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings and pushed across the winning run in the top of the seventh on a Lauryn Rougeux (Erie, Pa./McDowell) sacrifice fly. Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) allowed just three hits and only one after the first inning.

Gannon comes off three wins in its last four games, a sweep of Indiana (Pa.) on April 14 and a split with Pitt-Johnstown the following day.

Wiley continues to vary her lineups with numerous players stepping up. In fact, freshman Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City) is the lone player to start all 32 games. Fox has taken over at shortstop and is batting .319 with a team-leading seven stolen bases and 18 RBIs, good for second on the team.

Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) missed seven games with an injury at the start of conference action but is now the team's leading hitter at .355. The junior second baseman is second on the team with four home runs and has 15 RBIs. Sophomore outfielder Abbey Girman (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) is hitting .352 while leading the team in doubles (7), home runs (7), RBIs (25), and slugging percentage (.693).

Lenda has emerged as Gannon's top hurler. The sophomore has a 7-5 record with a 3.00 ERA. In 91 innings, she has allowed 86 hits and 28 walks while striking out 32. Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) (1-5, 4.07 ERA) has enjoyed a solid freshman campaign and Vasi (5-8, 6.34 ERA) has been better than her numbers indicate following a slow start.

Clarion last played on April 15, splitting a doubleheader with Edinboro. The Golden Eagles possess an outstanding pitcher in Emma Hipps. The freshman is 9-5 with a 2.45 ERA. She has tossed three shutouts. In 91.1 innings, she has allowed 87 hits with just 15 walks and 79 strikeouts.

On offense senior outfielder Alyssa Stitt has put up huge numbers with a .394 batting average, 11 doubles, four home runs, and 35 RBIs.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#23 Abbey Girman: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R

#19 Maggie Lenda: P; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#10 Lauryn Rougeux: C/3B; 5' 3"; Senior; R/R

#28 Jules Ryan: 2B/SS; 5' 8"; Junior; R/R

#27 Gabi Vasi: P; 5' 7"; Junior; L/R

#21 Andrea Watson: P/OF; 5' 4"; Senior; L/R

#5 Ashley Fox: OF/SS/2B; 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R

#13 Josie Spano: 1B/P; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#23 Abbey Girman
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#19 Maggie Lenda
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#10 Lauryn Rougeux
: 5' 3"; Senior; R/R
: C/3B

#28 Jules Ryan
: 5' 8"; Junior; R/R
: 2B/SS

#27 Gabi Vasi
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/R
: P

#21 Andrea Watson
: 5' 4"; Senior; L/R
: P/OF

#5 Ashley Fox
: 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: OF/SS/2B

#13 Josie Spano
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: 1B/P