2025 Softball Team
Taylor Brown

Softball Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Softball Preview: Experienced Golden Knights in Search of Second Straight NCAA Tournament Appearance

SOFTBALL PREVIEW
 
GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (32-15 in 2024) at GLENVILLE STATE SUE MORRIS SPORTS COMPLEX CLASSIC
DATE/TIME: Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. / 10:00 a.m.
BALLPARK/LOCATION: Sue Morris Sports Complex l Glenville, W.Va.
LIVE STATS
 
GANNON SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 22
12:30 p.m. – Charleston (WV) (51-8)
5:30 p.m. – West Virginia State (0-2)  
Sunday, February 23
10:00 a.m. – West Virginia Wesleyan (2-4)  
3:00 p.m. – Glenville State (3-2) 
 
 
ERIE, Pa. – The target is on the back of the Gannon softball team in 2025, and that suits head coach Michelle Wiley just fine. The Golden Knights were picked to finish first in the PSAC West preseason poll after posting a 32-15 record a year ago and winning the Western Division title.
 
Now in her seventh season at the helm, Wiley guided Gannon to an NCAA playoff berth for the second time and was recognized as the PSAC West Coach of the Year for a second time.
 
"Last year was definitely a special year, the team came on strong towards the middle and the end of the season and it was great to get a birth in the NCAAs," commented Wiley. "This year, I would like for us to have a strong start, both at the Glenville Tournament and then in Florida. I feel that we have a lot of talent from both returners and newcomers and I am excited to see what they do this season."
 
Last year's record was particularly impressive given the slow start. The Golden Knights were 9-9 in early April and then caught fire, winning 10 of 11 games and 21 of 23 games overall. At one point they ran off 11 straight wins.
 
Gannon returns a veteran team and with most of the starting lineup intact and several newcomers looking to make their mark. "I have a positive outlook for the season," related Wiley. "With the loss of two starters and the rest of them returning, we have a great mix of experience and newcomers with a lot of skill and energy to continue the tradition of excellence in Gannon Softball."
 
Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) returns to pace the pitching staff. The senior was selected the PSAC West Pitcher of the Year and was joined on the All-PSAC West first team by first baseman Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic), second baseman Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford), outfielder Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong), and designated player Gabi Vasi (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East). Mallozzi and Smerick return in 2025. Mallozzi was also chosen an NFCA All-Atlantic Region honoree.
 
Standing in the way of Wiley's strong start is a demanding early schedule. Right off the bat the Golden Knights open with Charleston (WV), a team that was 51-8 a year ago. The Golden Eagles won the Atlantic Regional to advance to the NCAA Div. II College World Series, in the process eliminating Gannon in the regional. The Charleston game will be a reunion with former assistant coach Taylor Welch, who is in her first season as the Charleston head coach.
 
Gannon faces Welsh's Golden Eagles on Saturday, February 22 at 12:30 p.m. Later in the day the Golden Knights face West Virginia State. On Sunday they face two more Mountain East Conference squads, playing West Virginia Wesleyan at 10:00 a.m. and Glenville State at 3:00 p.m. Charleston was picked to finish first in the MEC South Division and Glenville State third.
 
The Golden Knights travel back to West Virginia on February 28 with a doubleheader at Wheeling. Then they head for the Sunshine state to play eight games in Melbourne, Fla. That stretch gets underway with yet another NCAA Tournament team on Wednesday, March 5 with the Golden Knights playing Assumption.
 
Here's a breakdown of the Golden Knights:
 
INFIELD
The infield will have a bit of a different look with new starters expected to take the field at second and third base. But the unit has a pair of anchors in first baseman Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic) and shortstop Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny). Mallozzi hit. 440 and was a first team All-PSAC West selection along with being named to the NFCA All-Atlantic Region team. Whipkey added 8 HRs and 30 RBIs while hitting .343. Lindsay Breuer (Mason, Ohio/Mason) takes over at second base with Kloie Troutman (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria) slated to start at third. A junior, Breuer is a transfer from Notre Dame (Ohio) who started 90 games the last two years. Troutman is one of a host of freshmen bolstering the roster.   
 
OUTFIELD
The outfield returns intact with Abbey Girman (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) in left, Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City) in center and Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) manning right field. In addition, Jenn Clontz is available when not serving as the designated hitter. It is a group that provides average, power, and speed. Smerick was a first team All-PSAC West honoree last year and Girman earned the same honor in 2023 and was an NFCA second team All-Atlantic region pick. Wiley also notes that there is plenty of depth available.    
 
PITCHING STAFF
Likely the area that showed the greatest improvement a year ago was the pitching staff. Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) emerged as a top pitcher in the PSAC. The senior was named the PSAC West Pitcher of the Year and a first team All-PSAC West honoree after finishing at 16-3 with a 2.44 ERA. Wiley looks for a healthy Katie Armstrong (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) to continue top grow after finishing at 6-5 with a 3.68 ERA. She struck out 67 in 57 innings. Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) has seen plenty of time in the circle and Jessica Westmiller (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East) earned valuable experience a year ago.
 
"I feel that we have great experience this year both in the circle and defensively, as well," Wiley concluded. "With our current players and the addition of some newcomers, I feel we have a good balance between speed, power and singles hitters in our lineup.
 
"We need to make sure that we are consistent day in and day out, both in practice and in games. The weather is always a concern as well. Last year we played nine double headers in two weeks and that could also take a toll on a team."
 
HEAD COACH
Michelle Wiley is in her seventh season as Gannon's head coach after previously serving as an assistant coach under Tom Jakubowski. All told she is in her 15th season on the Gannon staff. She owns a 137-100 record in six seasons, leading Gannon to the NCAA Tournament in 2019 and again in 2024. She was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year both seasons. A year ago she guided the Golden Knights to a 32-15 record. Her 2019 squad also won 30 games, finishing at 30-16. Wiley was a four-time first team All-Presidents Athletic Conference selection and was the PAC Pitcher MVP three times during her playing days at Washington & Jefferson. She was inducted into the W&J Athletics Hall of fame in 2007.  

TOP RETURNEES 
Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic) (OF/1B, Gr.) – enjoyed one of the finest hitting seasons ever by a Golden Knight. Finishing with a .440 average with 16 doubles, 4 HRs and 33 RBIs. The sweet-swinging lefty was named to the All-PSAC West first team and was also an NFCA All-Atlantic Region honoree. She will man first base.
 
Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) (RHP, Sr.) -- as a junior she was named the PSAC West Pitcher of the Year and a first team All-PSAC West selection. The righthander finished with a 16-3 record with a 2.44 ERA. She completed 15 of 19 starts with four shutouts. In 120.2 innings she allowed 117 hits and 46 walks with 91 strikeouts.
 
Katie Armstrong (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) (RHP, So.) – was a top recruit a year ago who was forced to miss considerable time after a solid start. Ended the year with a 6-5 record and 3.68 ERA, striking out 67 in 57 innings.

Abbey Girman (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) (OF, Sr.) – was one of Gannon's biggest bats down the stretch after a slow start. Hit .312 with 6 HRs and 30 RBIs, adding eight stolen bases. As a sophomore she was a first team All-PSAC West selection and NFCA All-Atlantic region second team honoree after hitting .372 with 12 HRs and 42 RBIs.

Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) (OF, Sr.) – enjoyed a strong freshman campaign while appearing in 37 games. Hit .337 and was tied for the team lead with eight home runs, finishing with 27 RBIs.

Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) (SS, Jr.) – earned the starting shortstop job after transferring from California (Pa.). Ended the year tied for the team lead with 8 HRs while hitting .343 with 30 RBIs and seven stolen bases.

Bella Atherton (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) (C, So.) – started 38 games, mainly behind the plate, while hitting .310 with a pair of home runs. Has shown the ability to be a leader behind the plate.

Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) (OF, So.) -- sets the tone as the leadoff hitter while earning first team All-PSAC West honors. Had a team-leading 20 stolen bases while hitting .385. Displayed power as well with 10 doubles, two triples and five runs while driving in 27 runs.
 
KEY NEWCOMERS
Lindsay Breuer (Mason, Ohio/Mason) (2B/C, Jr.) – transfer from Notre Dame (Ohio)
Kloie Troutman (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria) (1B/3B, Fr.) – Elyria (Ohio) High School
Kennedy Maynard (San Diego, Cal./University City) (OF, Fr.) – University City (Cal.) High School
Sadie Carroll (North Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) (Util./Fr.) – North Canton Hoover (Ohio) High School
 
SEASON OPENER:
Saturday, Feb. 22 /Sunday, Feb. 23 at Glenville State Sue Morris Sports Complex Classic
Gannon opens the season with four contests against Mountain East Conference foes. It begins with a rematch from last year's Atlantic Regional as the Golden Knights face Charleston (WV). A year ago Charleston finished at 51-8 and won the regional.
 
"I feel that we have a good balanced schedule this year," Wiley commented. "We start off with the Glenville State tournament where we will play regional games. We then head to Wheeling for another regional game. After that we have a few days off and then head to Florida where we will play good competition. We will see some regional opponents and also some teams we have played in the past in Florida like Bridgeport and Felician. A new opponent we have not played before is Minnesota Crookston. Once we come back from Florida, we will play against strong competition at Ohio Dominican.   
 
HOME OPENER:
Tuesday, March 18 vs. Edinboro – 2:00 p.m. (PSAC West doubleheader)
 
PRESEASON RANKINGS:
Gannon was picked as the preseason favorite in the PSAC West coaches preseason poll.
 
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Players Mentioned

Jules Ryan

#37 Jules Ryan

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

#27 Gabi Vasi

P
5' 7"
Senior
L/R
Katie Armstrong

#29 Katie Armstrong

P
5' 2"
Sophomore
R/R
Bella Atherton

#7 Bella Atherton

C
5' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
Jenna Clontz

#25 Jenna Clontz

OF
5' 7"
Sophomore
R/R
Ashley Fox

#6 Ashley Fox

OF
5' 4"
Junior
R/R
Abbey Girman

#23 Abbey Girman

OF
5' 6"
Senior
L/R
Maggie Lenda

#19 Maggie Lenda

P
5' 10"
Senior
R/R
Natalia Mallozzi

#1 Natalia Mallozzi

OF/1B
6' 0"
Graduate Student
L/R
Emma Smerick

#4 Emma Smerick

OF
5' 6"
Sophomore
L/R

Players Mentioned

Jules Ryan

#37 Jules Ryan

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

#27 Gabi Vasi

5' 7"
Senior
L/R
P
Katie Armstrong

#29 Katie Armstrong

5' 2"
Sophomore
R/R
P
Bella Atherton

#7 Bella Atherton

5' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
C
Jenna Clontz

#25 Jenna Clontz

5' 7"
Sophomore
R/R
OF
Ashley Fox

#6 Ashley Fox

5' 4"
Junior
R/R
OF
Abbey Girman

#23 Abbey Girman

5' 6"
Senior
L/R
OF
Maggie Lenda

#19 Maggie Lenda

5' 10"
Senior
R/R
P
Natalia Mallozzi

#1 Natalia Mallozzi

6' 0"
Graduate Student
L/R
OF/1B
Emma Smerick

#4 Emma Smerick

5' 6"
Sophomore
L/R
OF