McKeesport, PA. – The 2019 season had it’s share of ups and downs for the Penn State Greater Allegheny Softball team. They finished the year 0-18 in conference play and struggled to find consistency both at the plate and on the mound. However, despite what the numbers say, there were several positives in 2019 that have PSUGA softball looking towards the future with optimism as they head into the off-season.
It would be a struggle early on for head coach Victoria Blosser and her team as they score just one run combined between their first four games of the season against PSU-Fayette. They then traveled to PSU-DuBois where their offense improved scoring a combined seven runs in the four game series, but once again PSUGA could not find a way to scratch out a win. PSUGA got a taste of the best the Penn State University Athletic Conference West Division had having to take on two of the eventual three playoff teams in their first eight games.
They would hit a turning point as the calendar turned to April when the offense started to find their rhythm. It all started with a four game series against Penn State Mont Alto when the bats came to life scoring a combined 20 runs in the four game series. Their best offensive outburst came in the second game when they scored six runs in the top of the seventh as they tried to fight back before eventually falling 16-11. It was also a break-out game for senior Savanna Simm (West Mifflin, PA./West Mifflin HS) who drove in four RBI in the game
After dropping four games in their series with PSU-Beaver, PSUGA would finish out the year playing two games against PSU-New Kensington. They fell in extra innings in the first game 5-4 and then just fell short in a comeback effort in game two falling 11-7. Their final two games of the season were rained out bringing the 2019 campaign to a close.
One of the bright spots of the 2019 season was the emergence of freshman Holly George (Homer City, PA./Homer-Center HS) as a power hitter in the middle of the PSUGA lineup, George led the team hitting .350 with one home run and 11 RBI out of the number four spot in the lineup. She led the team in batting average and RBI and was tied for the team lead in home runs. She also emerged as a top pitcher for the team leading the way with 44.1 innings in the circle and striking out a team high 28 batters.
PSUGA also had a breakout year from sophomore Tara Love (Chandler, AZ./Campo Verde HS). Love hit a career high .317 with one home run and seven RBI in her 18 games played this season. She led the team with seven walks and a .512 slugging percentage. Fellow sophomores Alyssa Guzzie (Pittsburgh, PA./Fox Chapel HS) and Ivy Mervis (Pittsburgh, PA./Allderdice HS) had big years at the top of the PSUGA batting order hitting .326 and .265 respectively and setting up the middle of the order to drive in runs.
With all but one player from this year’s roster returning, there is plenty to look forward to in the future of PSUGA softball. The girls will now have another year of experience under their belts and can use that to better the team in 2020. PSUGA will look to bring in a couple new fresh faces to add to the mix as they look to continue to grow.
