Jules Ryan
Bryce Dolak

Softball Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Games Preview: Softball to Play Four Doubleheaders in Next Five Days

Stretch begins on Tuesday hosting Edinboro

EDINBORO FIGHTING SCOTS (5-15, 2-6 PSAC West) at GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (11-9, 6-4 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME:  Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. (DH)
BALLPARK/LOCATION: Edinboro Softball Field l Erie, Pa.
LIVE VIDEO l LIVE STATS
 
GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (11-9, 6-4 PSAC West) at SLIPPERY ROCK THE ROCK (10-17, 3-5 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME:  Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. (DH)
BALLPARK/LOCATION: Kasnevich Field l Slippery Rock, Pa.
LIVE VIDEO (GAME 1) | LIVE VIDEO (GAME 2)  l LIVE STATS

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (11-9, 6-4 PSAC West) at INDIANA (PA) CRIMSON HAWKS (20-11, 6-5 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME:  Friday, April 12, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. (DH)
BALLPARK/LOCATION: Ruth Podbielski Field l Indiana, Pa.
LIVE VIDEO l LIVE STATS

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (11-9, 6-4 PSAC West) at PITT-JOHNSTOWN MOUNTAIN CATS (15-7, 3-1 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME:  Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. (DH)
BALLPARK/LOCATION: Pitt-Johnstown Softball Field l Johnstown, Pa.
LIVE VIDEO l LIVE STATS
 
 
ERIE, Pa. – As is many times the case in the spring the Gannon softball team finds itself approaching a busy week. Weather permitting, the Golden Knights will play four doubleheaders in the span of five days. The stretch begins on Tuesday, April 9 when the Golden Knights host Edinboro for a doubleheader in the renewal of their local rivalry. The action gets underway at McConnell Family Stadium at 2:00 p.m.

The next day the Golden Knights play the first of four straight doubleheaders on the road. Gannon plays at Slippery Rock on Wednesday, April 10. Following an off day, the Golden Knights play two games at Indiana (Pa.) on Friday, April 12 followed by two more at Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday, April 13.

Gannon comes off its first doubleheader sweep of the season Sunday as the Golden Knights pounded out 28 hits while winning a pair of games at California (Pa.). They claimed the first game 10-1 followed by a 13-4 win in the nightcap. The wins boosted Gannon to 11-9 overall and 6-4 in the PSAC West.

Numerous players stood out in the doubleheader sweep of the Vulcans, but none more than Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic). The lefty-hitting first baseman reached base in seven of eight plate appearances while driving in seven runs. She hit a home run in each game and now has three in her last four games.
For her efforts in doubleheaders against Mercyhurst and Cal, Mallozzi was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week. She is hitting .460 with three home runs and 16 RBIs.

Gabi Vasi (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) is tied with Mallozzi for the team lead in batting also at .460. Vasi also owns a 3-5 record in the circle as one of head coach Michelle Wiley's pitching options.

A big weekend with the bats boosted Gannon's team batting average to .327. Mallozzi and Vasi are two of five Golden Knights hitting ,300 or better. Freshman Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) comes in at .391 and is tied for the team lead with four home runs. The outfielder leads the Golden Knights with 20 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

Fellow freshman Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) is hitting .340 with four home runs and 14 RBIs. Second baseman Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) has rebounded from a slow start and is now hitting ,300 with 14 RBIs and five stolen bases. Shortstop Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) also has four home runs with 13 RBIs and has stolen five bases.

While the bats have come alive the same can be said for Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) in the circle. The junior tossed a pair of gems over the weekend against Mercyhurst and Cal to improve to 6-2 while lowering her ERA to 3.38. She has a team-high 43 strikeouts in 49.2 innings.

Sophomore Jessica Westmiller (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East) picked up her first career win in Sunday's second game against California (Pa.).      
 
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Players Mentioned

Maggie Lenda

#19 Maggie Lenda

P
5' 10"
Junior
R/R
Natalia Mallozzi

#1 Natalia Mallozzi

OF/1B
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
L/R
Jules Ryan

#37 Jules Ryan

2B
5' 8"
Senior
R/R
Gabi Vasi

#27 Gabi Vasi

P
5' 7"
Senior
L/R
Jessica Westmiller

#12 Jessica Westmiller

P
5' 9"
Sophomore
L/R
Jenna Clontz

#25 Jenna Clontz

OF
5' 7"
Freshman
R/R
Emma Smerick

#5 Emma Smerick

OF
5' 6"
Freshman
L/R
Alaina Whipkey

#15 Alaina Whipkey

SS
5' 2"
Sophomore
R/R

Players Mentioned

Maggie Lenda

#19 Maggie Lenda

5' 10"
Junior
R/R
P
Natalia Mallozzi

#1 Natalia Mallozzi

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
L/R
OF/1B
Jules Ryan

#37 Jules Ryan

5' 8"
Senior
R/R
2B
Gabi Vasi

#27 Gabi Vasi

5' 7"
Senior
L/R
P
Jessica Westmiller

#12 Jessica Westmiller

5' 9"
Sophomore
L/R
P
Jenna Clontz

#25 Jenna Clontz

5' 7"
Freshman
R/R
OF
Emma Smerick

#5 Emma Smerick

5' 6"
Freshman
L/R
OF
Alaina Whipkey

#15 Alaina Whipkey

5' 2"
Sophomore
R/R
SS