Softball Team Makes First Appearance in PSAC Tournament Since 1990
Fighting Scots are second seed out of Western Division
May 2, 2007

Complete Tournament Results (Kutztown Website)

EDINBORO, PA – The Edinboro University softball team will make its first appearance in the PSAC Tournament since 1990 on Thursday, May 3. The Fighting Scots are the second seed out of the Western Division and will face East Stroudsburg, the third seed out of the Eastern Division, at 12 noon in the double elimination tournament. Kutztown is hosting the PSAC Tournament.

The PSAC Tournament gets underway at 10:00 a.m. with Bloomsburg (E2) opposing California(Pa.) (W3) in game one. Thursday’s third game starts at 2:30 p.m. with the game one winner opposing Lock Haven, the top seed from the West. The final game of the opening day is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. with the winner of the Edinboro-East Stroudsburg contest meeting Kutztown, the East’s top seed.

While the month of April was less than ideal weather-wise, Edinboro was able to survive a couple long layoffs to finish the season with nine wins in its last eleven games. The Fighting Scots enter the PSAC Tournament riding a four-game winning streak, with three straight victories over Indiana(Pa.) and another over California(Pa.).

The Fighting Scots clinched their first PSAC playoff berth since 1990 with a 3-0 win over IUP in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday after enduring an eight-day layoff. They won the nightcap, as well, 10-1, then handed California(Pa.) a 3-1 loss on Tuesday to secure the second seed in the West. That contest was stopped with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning due to rain and lightning, and the second game was cancelled.

Head coach Dan Gierlak likes his team’s chances heading into the tournament.

“I think we’re playing well right now,” related the veteran coach. “In a tournament like this, anything can happen, particularly if your pitcher gets hot. We think we’ve got a pitcher in Vanessa Rose who has proven she can beat the best. You need to get good pitching, don’t make mistakes, and get clutch hits. I think we’re ready. Our players have worked very hard for this moment.”

Here’s a look at the Fighting Scots:

Pitcher – Vanessa Rose (Jr., LHP, Akron, OH/Manchester) – the junior has enjoyed a record-breaking season. She has a 13-12 record with a 1.96 ERA. In 160 2/3 innings she has allowed 133 hits and 18 walks while striking out 183. The 13 wins is tied for third in the season records, and she broke the school record for innings pitched on Tuesday. In addition, Rose needs seven strikeouts to break the school record of 189 held by Kathy Mazur. Rose is also climbing many of the career record charts, ranking third in career wins (28), fourth in career innings pitched (369 1/3) and third in career strikeouts (386). She needs three strikeouts to move into second place. Rose has hurled nine shutouts this season, including a 1-0 win over defending national champion Lock Haven, who was ranked number one at the time. While handing LHU one of just two losses this season, she allowed just three hits and matched her career high with 13 strikeouts. In addition, Rose is also one of the leading hitters on the team with a .282 average.

First Base – Leanne Carmichael (Sr., Pinehurst, MA/Billerica Memorial) – as a junior she was a second team All-PSAC West selection. She is hitting .247 with 3 HRs and 17 RBIs, the latter figure good for third on the team. She is a strong defensive player and the leader of the team.

Second Base – Dana Webb (So., Amherst, NY/Williamsville South) – Edinboro’s leading hitter with a .382 average. She also leads the team with eight doubles and three triples, and is tied for second in home runs with three. She has a team-high 24 RBIs, tied for fifth in the season records, and her 42 hits is also tied for fifth in a season. She ranks seventh in career RBIs (42). Webb is hitting .460 over her last 14 games (23 of 50), including a 3-for-4 effort with 5 RBIs in the recent 10-1 win over IUP. She is also exceptional in the field, with just three errors for a .979 fielding percentage.

Shortstop – Katelyn Gurgiolo (So., Stow, OH/Medina) – Gierlak’s move to turn her into a slap hitter has worked wonders as she has used her speed to hit .330 with a team-high 14 stolen bases. That is a vast improvement over her freshman campaign when she hit .240. Like Webb, she is strong in the field with just six errors and a .958 fielding percentage.

Third Base – Danielle Arno (So., Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) – like Webb and Gurgiolo, she is a third sophomore starting in the infield. She is Edinboro’s top power hitter, setting a school record this season with seven home runs. Arno is hitting .264 with 23 RBIs, and also leads the Scots with 16 walks, tying the school record. She drove in all three runs in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over California(Pa.), hitting a solo homer to set the school record, then poking a two-run double in her next at bat.

Catcher -- Mandie Iorfido (Jr., Ambridge, PA/Ambridge) – was a second team All-PSAC West selection a year ago and is enjoying another strong season. She is hitting .291 while starting all 37 games, and has driven in 15 runs, good for fourth on the team. She has hit in nine of her last 12 games, and has four hits in her last six at bats.

Left Field – Alicia Gordon (So., Bolivar, NY/Bolivar-Richburg) – has struggled with the bat, hitting just .130, but is a strong defensive player. Has started 34 games. Has 12 hits, but two have been home runs. Currently in a 1-for-34 stretch.

Center Field – Ashleigh Smith (So., Mars, PA/Mars Area) – has started all 37 games, hitting .214. She has displayed some power, with three doubles, a triple, and two home runs. Solid defensively, with just two errors.

Right Field – Jessica Lindamood (Sr., Hartville, OH/Lake) – one of only two seniors in the lineup. She’s a better hitter than her .240 average indicates, and has come around of late with eight hits in her last 24 at bats. She has started all 37 games and has one home run and 9 RBIs.