BLOOMSBURG—This weekend, the Bloomsburg University softball team will be making the trip to Indiana, Pa., for the Super Regional round of the 2011 NCAA Division II Women's Softball Championship. At stake is a spot in the national championship round to be held May 26 to 30, at the Moyer Complex in Salem, Va.
Both Bloomsburg and IUP advanced to the Super Regional by way of 3-0 performances in their respective Regionals. IUP entered the tournament as the Atlantic's No. 1 seed, while Bloomsburg was ranked No. 2.
During the regular season, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Central Division rivals split their only doubleheader, while their second scheduled meeting was canceled due to rain.
IUP was slotted as the Central's No. 3 seed in the PSAC tournament, and after cruising through their opening-round matches, the Crimson Hawks captured the conference crown and automatic bid. IUP captured their Atlantic Regional title after ousting Kutztown and Winston-Salem.
After falling to Kutztown in the opening round of the PSAC event, Bloomsburg went on to become one of five PSAC teams to receive an At-Large berth in the NCAA tournament. The Huskies went undefeated in three games against Shippensburg and West Virginia Wesleyan to earn their spot in the Super Regional.
The Bloomsburg-IUP matchup will feature both All-PSAC Central first team pitchers.
Senior Shavaun Fisher (Coplay/Allentown Central Catholic) has been an ace on the mound for Bloomsburg, accruing a record of 19-5 while maintaining an ERA of 0.98 in 164 innings. She has 200 strikeouts on the season, enough for ninth on Bloomsburg's all-time list. Her 650 career K's are second-most in BU history, and she is within striking distance of Ashley Lynn's (2005-08) record of 679.
Facing the Huskies, Erin Holloway (25-3) will likely start for the Crimson Hawks. She has 225 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.23 over 187.1 innings.
Backing up Fisher is All-PSAC Central second-team selection Cait Paine (Lebanon/Lebanon). The sophomore is 14-2 for the Huskies and has racked up 124 strikeouts. She maintains an ERA of 1.84 over 99 innings.
IUP's second arm is Kelly King (11-3), who has thrown 92.2 innings and has 56 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.42.
On the offensive, PSAC Central Player of the Year Lacy Mauro (Jersey Shore/Jersey Shore) comes to the plate with a .400 batting average and team-high nine home runs on the season. She has scored 31 runs while batting in a team-best 33.
Bloomsburg's other All-PSAC Central first-team honorees are senior shortstop Danielle Lazorka (Williamsport/Jersey Shore) and junior third-baseman Sam Pientack (Archbald/Valley View). For the Crimson Hawks, infielders Megan McCormick and Dee Eppinger and outfielders Michelle Bivona and Kristen Tunno, were all first-team division selections.
The best-of-three Super Regional series kicks off with game one on Friday, May 20, at 1 p.m. Game two will be played on Saturday, May 21, at 12 p.m., while game three (if necessary) will follow at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
