Scoreboard

Bryce Dolak

Softball 3/4/2025 10:20:00 AM Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Big Bats Headed South to Play in Space Coast Games

Gannon to play eight games in Florida

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (5-1) at SPACE COAST GAMES
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, March 5 to Monday, March 10, 2025 | 12 noon
FIELD/LOCATION: Various Fields l Melbourne, Fla.

GANNON SCHEDULE
Wed., March 5 – vs. Assumption (0-8) – 10:00 a.m. / vs. Davis & Elkins (3-12) – 12:15 p.m.
Thurs., March 6 – vs. Ursuline (0-4) – 2:30 p.m. / vs. Felician (0-7) – 4:45 p.m.
Sat., March 8 – vs. Mercy (2-0) – 10:00 p.m. / vs. Bridgeport (3-3) – 12:15 p.m.
Sun. March 9 – vs. South Florida Club (D Team) – 2:30 p.m. / St. Thomas (D Team) – 4:30 p.m.
Mon., March 10 – vs. Goldey-Beacom (8-1) – 2:30 p.m. / Minnesota Clarkston (5-10) – 4:45 p.m.

ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon softball team will begin an eight-game spring trip on Wednesday, March 5. The Golden Knights will compete in the Space Coast Games from Wednesday to Monday, March 10 looking to improve on a 5-1 start. In addition to the eight varsity contests they will play a pair of D games while in Melbourne, Fla.

Head coach Michelle Wiley can only hope the bats travel south, as well. The Golden Knights own a .357 team batting average and are averaging over nine runs per game. Their 65 hits include 19 doubles, a triple and 11 home runs along with 16 stolen bases.

Gannon swept a doubleheader at Wheeling on Friday, winning by scores of 9-3 and 12-4. Swept was the term literally, as high winds nearly swept things away. The first game was played outside before the teams moved indoors for the nightcap. It didn't impact the Gannon bats, as the Golden Knights pounded out 26 hits including nine extra base hits.

Head coach Michelle Wiley's team is off to a fast start after being chosen the preseason favorite in the PSAC West. The Golden Knights finished at 32-15 a year ago and made the NCAA Atlantic Regional.

Gannon has scored no fewer than four runs in every game, that a 4-3 win over Glenville State. The lone setback came in that same Sue Morris Sports Complex Classic, a 7-6 walk-off loss to Charleston (WV).

Four players are hitting over .300, led by sophomore catcher Bella Atherton (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) at .500. Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong), a sophomore outfielder, heads to Florida sporting a .476 batting average with 4 doubles, 2 HRs and 6 RBIs. She also has five stolen bases.

Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic) is next at .455 with 2 doubles, a triple, 3 HRs and nine runs driven in. Both Mallozzi and Smerick were first team All-PSAC West honorees.

Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) comes off a big day at Wheeling and is hitting .375 with 3 doubles and 2 HRs. She is tied with Mallozzi for the RBI lead with nine.

Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) and Katie Armstrong (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) are the main pitchers in the circle. Lenda, a xx, was the 2024 PSAC West Pitcher of the Year after finishing at 16-3 with a 2.44 ERA. She currently is 2-0 with a save and 2.62 ERA. She has struck out 16 in 18.2 innings.

Armstrong owns a team-high 20 strikeouts in 14.2 innings. The sophomore is also 2-0 with a 4.77 ERA. Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) (1-1, 1.31 ERA) and Jessica Westmiller (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East) (0-0, 4.20 ERA) have also seen time in the circle.

Following the near week in Florida the Golden Knights head back north and will play a doubleheader at Ohio Dominican on Saturday, March 15.

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Players Mentioned

#29 Katie Armstrong: P; 5' 2"; Sophomore; R/R

#7 Bella Atherton: C; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#25 Jenna Clontz: OF; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

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

#1 Natalia Mallozzi: OF/1B; 6' 0"; Graduate Student; L/R

#4 Emma Smerick: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R

#13 Josie Spano: P/DP; 5' 8"; Junior; R/R

#12 Jessica Westmiller: P; 5' 9"; Junior; L/R

Players Mentioned

#29 Katie Armstrong
: 5' 2"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#7 Bella Atherton
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: C

#25 Jenna Clontz
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

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

#1 Natalia Mallozzi
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student; L/R
: OF/1B

#4 Emma Smerick
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#13 Josie Spano
: 5' 8"; Junior; R/R
: P/DP

#12 Jessica Westmiller
: 5' 9"; Junior; L/R
: P