Softball | 5/7/2025 2:44:00 PM

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - The No. 6 seed Bloomsburg softball team travels to Kutztown for its NCAA Regional appearance, beginning on Thursday, May 8, with the team's first game set for a 12:30 p.m. start.

The Huskies enter the NCAA Tournament with a record of 31-19. The team is coming off a 2-2 finish at the PSAC Tournament, with their second defeat coming in a 3-2 result against Shepherd, ending the run. The Rams possess a 28-22-1 record following a runner-up finish at the PSAC Tournament under head coach Marissa Leslie.

Fans can purchase tickets through the Kutztown University ticketing office using the following link. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and college students, and kids under 17. Children under the age of two receive free admission. Live streams for all this week's games are available with the provided link.

Inside The Matchup
Thursday's opening-round contest will come exactly one week after the two teams faced off in Quakertown for the right to continue playing for a PSAC title. The Rams got the better of the matchup, leading down a path to come up one game shy of the crown against East Stroudsburg. The Huskies are 1-4 this season against the Rams, with two of the last three meetings being one-run defeats for Bloomsburg. Entering 2025, the Huskies were 5-3 against Shepherd since 2023. Bloomsburg has had issues with the Rams, with the Huskies dropping 10 consecutive games from 2017 to 2022. That streak ended on May 8, 2022, with an 8-6 win for the Huskies in postseason action in Quakertown.

A core group is imperative to the Shepherd's success in 2025. On the mound, Madelayne Ruffner is the ace that powers her side as the PSAC East Pitcher of the Year and one of the most prolific pitchers in Division II. The sophomore leads the nation with 12.9 strikeouts per seven innings and is one of the best arms at preventing base runners and runs. Ruffner is among the top five pitchers in the Division in WHIP (2nd, 0.69), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2nd, 11.04), hits allowed per seven innings (3rd, 3.64), and ERA (5th, 0.82). In her two seasons with the Rams, Ruffner has made five starts against the Huskies with a 4-1 record. The sophomore holds a 1.41 ERA against Bloomsburg with a 0.836 WHIP and 10.1 strikeouts per seven innings. Ruffner is 3-0 against the Huskies this season, featuring a no-hitter at Jan Hutchinson Field back in the second game of the PSAC slate. The last time the two sides met, Bloomsburg came up one run short with a runner on second in the top of the seventh during the 3-2 meeting in Quakertown. The Huskies finished with six strikeouts, the fewest for Ruffner in a qualified start this season.

Offensively, the Rams look to apply pressure with the top of their lineup. The key cog in the No. 3 spot in the order is senior Lauren Moore. The Shepherd third baseman was arguably the best hitter in the East this season, and the recent run of form in the PSAC Tournament is further proof. Moore ended the tournament run hitting .500 (11-for-22) with five home runs and 11 RBI, with four of those five coming in the team's final four tournament games. The senior led the PSAC East in batting average during conference play, hitting .458 with six home runs, 14 doubles, and 34 RBI in those 32 contests. In the leadoff spot, Madelyn Chambers has provided a competitive complement to challenge teams early and often throughout games. The sophomore is second for Shepherd in batting average (.388) while second on the team in slugging percentage (.539), on-base percentage (.446), and OPS (.985). Chambers is third in extra-base hits with 17 and the team leader with six triples. The first-team utility's versatility and assertion into the leadoff spot have added a new element to this Shepherd team. Several other members of the heart of the Rams' order have had good starts to the postseason and pose a threat entering the Regional. Lexi Clatterbuck, Shepherd's starting shortstop, was among the team's best hitters from the PSAC Tournament. Clatterbuck went 13-for-21 (.619) at the plate in the team's seven games in Quakertown. Starting at first base, Brenna Collis rides an 11-game hit streak into the Kutztown Regional, beginning during the back half of Shepherd's road doubleheader against the Golden Bears. Lastly, Haylee Hartman occupies the No. 2 spot in the lineup and adds pop for the Rams. The freshman is second on the team with 20 extra-base hits, coming in second with 14 doubles and four triples while tallying two home runs.

Kocher's Corner
In her 15th season as head coach of the Bloomsburg softball program, Susan Kocher has maintained stability throughout her tenure. Kocher reached another impressive milestone in her career, earning her 400th victory earlier this season. This season, the Huskies' record of 29-17 gives them their best regular-season winning percentage since 2019. Kocher has guided Bloomsburg to a PSAC Championship appearance in 13 of her 15 seasons in charge of the Huskies, winning the title in 2016. 

The former pitcher has seen over 1500 wins in over 40-plus seasons with the program. As an assistant, Kocher helped the Huskies to 10 PSAC titles, 24 consecutive NCAA postseason berths, and 10 trips to the NCAA Championships. Kocher has twice been named a PSAC Coach of the Year.

Postseason History
The Bloomsburg softball program has an extensive postseason history over the last 40 years, with the elusive national championship escaping the team at the Division II level. 

The Huskies' lone national championship was a DIII title in 1982. Since then, Bloomsburg has made 36 postseason appearances, including 32 consecutive Regional appearances from 1983 to 2014. In that span, the Huskies traveled to the National Championship 11 times, recording two runner-up finishes, five in third place, two fourth-place spots, and two fifth-place finishes. Bloomsburg is looking to return to Super Regionals since its back-to-back trips in 2010 and 2011. 

Senior Statements
A contingent of seniors for the Huskies is looking to leave their mark after several near-misses in the past couple of years. Bloomsburg has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in three of the previous four seasons, with exits in the Regionals each time. The battle-tested group is looking to get the Huskies over the hump and to the program's first Super Regional appearance since 2011.

Offensively, Bella Culp (Harrisburg, Pa/Central Dauphin), Emma Little (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn-Trafford), and Mia Nemeth (Drums, Pa/Marian Catholic) are among the headliners in a robust lineup experiencing career years. Culp is the team's active hits leader, with 229 entering Regionals and sitting 10th in program history. The shortstop is experiencing several career highs in her fourth season, including extra-base hits (15, nine doubles, five triples, one home run), slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and walks while matching a career-best 26 RBI and leading the team with 20 multi-hit games. Little's senior surge comes with career-best numbers in eight categories. The first-team All-PSAC East performer in 2025 is the team leader in doubles (14) while tied for first in extra-base hits (26) and second in OPS (1.100) entering Thursday's game. Little is 10th in program history in career home runs (25) and seventh in RBI (137). Perhaps the most significant offensive breakout of the season, Nemeth has arguably been the Huskies' most valuable offensive performer this season. The senior outfielder is seeing a noticeable change in batting average, slugging, and on-base percentage by over .100 of her previous career bests. Nemeth has more than 25 hits in 2025 than her two prior campaigns, more than twice as many extra-base hits, and has more RBI this season, 44 than in her previous three seasons combined. Nemeth's breakout earned the senior outfield All-PSAC East Second Team recognition, becoming a reliable bat in the heart of the Bloomsburg lineup.

Callie Sowers (Irwin, Pa/Hempfield Area) and Kelly Eberly (Purcellville, Va/Homeschooled) have been constant presences in the circle for the Huskies in their four-year careers. Sowers is one of the most accomplished pitchers in program history. The Irwin, Pa. native broke the program's career strikeout record of 803, currently sitting with 828. Sowers is among the top 10 in several other pitching categories, including innings pitched (2nd, 715.2), appearances (2nd, 134), and victories (T-5th, 72). The right-handed pitcher this season is having another strong season, possessing a 14-6 record with a 2.30 ERA in 122.0 innings pitched. Sowers' peripherals feature a 1.11 WHIP and a .212 opponent batting average while tallying a team-leading 128 strikeouts. Despite a 4-8 overall record, Eberly is experiencing her best statistical season as a Husky. The left-handed thrower boasts a 3.28 ERA in year four with a 1.51 WHIP and a .257 opponent batting average, all of which are career bests. In 70.1 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts, Eberly also has two saves, developing into a dependable option for Bloomsburg.

Blooming Bats
Last season, the Bloomsburg softball team lacked the necessary punch at the plate to put away games. In response, the 2025 Huskies have had a markedly improved performance that puts them among the top teams in the conference. Bloomsburg scored 295 runs in 50 games after scoring 254 in 57 contests. That improvement, from 4.46 runs per contest to 5.9, puts the Huskies 40th nationally in scoring offense before this week's festivities. Bloomsburg is among the top 50 in offensive categories, including batting average (24th), slugging percentage (26th), RBI per game (29th), doubles per game (39th), and home runs per game (40th). Among teams in the PSAC, the Huskies rank first in batting average (.332), second in slugging percentage (.499) and on-base percentage (.396), fourth in scoring, third in hits (462), fourth in home runs (39) and doubles (84). Through its 32 games against PSAC opponents, Bloomsburg was in the top six in eight major statistical categories and had the fewest strikeouts per game at just under four. 

Three-Pitch(er) Mix
While offensive fireworks grab the attention, the Bloomsburg pitching staff has had one of its most well-rounded seasons in recent memory. The trio of Sowers, Eberly, and sophomore Sarah Yamrick (Fort Myers, Fla./Bishop Verot) have all been among the conference's best in their own right this season. The three arms are the only group in the PSAC to pitch at least 70 innings and hold an ERA under 3.50, with Yamrick and Sowers under 2.50. All members are in the top 13 in the conference in individual earned run average, placing the team third in the PSAC at 2.64. The group is also the only trio of pitchers from one team inside the top 13 in ERA through the conference slate. The overall performances have Bloomsburg ranked in the top 35 nationally in strikeouts per seven innings (18th), strikeout-to-walk ratio (33rd), and WHIP (41st), ERA (45th). Additionally, the Huskies surrendered the second-fewest runs per game in the conference at 2.94 per game. The continued blend and balance of the Bloomsburg pitching staff will be needed to help further the team's ambitions for success. 

New Kids on the Block
The Bloomsburg softball team has gotten boosts from several new places in 2025. 

More than just an improved pitcher and coming off a solid first season, Yamrick has showcased outstanding two-way ability in her standout second-year campaign. The sophomore is the team leader in batting average (.403) and on-base percentage (.457). Yamrick has seen near-.100-point improvements in her slugging and on-base numbers in 2025 while finishing third among PSAC players in conference play with a .450 batting average. The utility's blend of hitting and pitching has earned her a place among the conference's best. Reagan Wiest (Sunbury, Pa./Shikellamy), another breakout performer in her second season, has been one of the Huskies' best hitters down the stretch of the regular season. Wiest, slotting in as the designated player and at catcher, has been a highly productive spark for Bloomsburg. The second-year player in 24 conference games hit .387 with five doubles, two triples, three home runs, 16 runs scored, and 18 RBI while leading the team in slugging percentage and OPS. The boon of Wiest's insertion in the lineup has given the Huskies a beneficial jolt.

New faces to the Bloomsburg softball team are welcome additions. Allie Wenrich (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin) finished the regular season as one of the best first-year players in the PSAC. The outfielder stepped up her game for the Huskies with a postseason debut to remember. Wenrich is the team leader with 13 home runs, a slugging percentage of .690, a 1.152 OPS, and 50 RBI. The freshman left a mark in her four games at Quakertown, going 5-for-11 at the plate with two grand slams, a triple, a double, and 13 RBI, including a program-record eight in the team's game against Slippery Rock. Wenrich is hitting .343 in her first collegiate season with the Huskies, while tied for first in extra-base hits (22), sitting tied for second in runs scored (34), and third in walks (15). The freshman is the team leader with 13 multi-RBI performances. Wenrich's 13 home runs and 50 RBI are the most by a Husky since 2016. A flexible piece to the roster was the addition of transfer Carly Wywoda (Dupont, Pa./Holy Cross) – the junior supplies Bloomsburg with an additional bat off the bench that manufactures ways to get on base. Wywoda is batting .365 this season in 52 at-bats, recording four doubles, one home run, and nine RBI in the sample. The outfielder is one of three players on the team with a +1 walk-to-strikeout ratio at the plate, leading to a .484 on-base percentage. 

Numbers to Watch
A key to the Huskies' success will be slowing down Shepherd bats that picked up steam during the team's PSAC Tournament run. Five of the top six bats in the lineup for the Rams finished the week at Quakertown hitting above .320, with four of those players hitting over .400 in the last seven games. 

With two of the last three games being decided by one run between the two teams, capitalizing with runners on base will be a premium. Throughout Bloomsburg's previous four games, the Huskies left 32 runners on base, including seven against the Rams. Bloomsburg must take advantage of its improved offense to strike when the iron is hot.

"Defense wins championships" becomes a well-noted phrase during the postseason. The Huskies take a .971 fielding percentage into Regionals, the best mark in the PSAC and the 19th-highest in the nation. Bloomsburg had the second-best fielding percentage during conference games (.972). Shepherd finished in the middle of the pack in fielding percentage, .954 overall (8th in PSAC) and .958 during the PSAC slate (10th in PSAC).

The Huskies' record against the field is as narrow as possible. Since 2008, Bloomsburg is 6-8 against its three opponents during postseason play. The Huskies and Rams have only met in May for PSAC conference matchups, with a record of 1-1. Bloomsburg and Kutztown have met on a neutral field 12 times with an even record of 6-6. The sides have played just four games against one another under the NCAA Regionals banner, with the Golden Bears taking the last two games in 2013. Before then, the Huskies eliminated host Kutztown from the 2008 Regional site. 

On Deck
The winner of the opening-round contest will face the winner between No. 2 Kutztown and No. 7 Charleston at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. The loser will play in the first elimination game and the loser of the other first-round contest, set for 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9.