PSAC Championship Central

LOCK HAVEN, Pa.  – The Lock Haven University softball team is set to make its 10th straight postseason appearance tomorrow (Wednesday, May 1) as the Lady Eagles open the 2013 PSAC Tournament against West Chester at 10 a.m.

The 2013 PSAC Softball Tournament is a four-day, double-elimination tournament from Wed., May 1 to Saturday, May 4 at Quakertown Veterans Park in Quakertown, Pa.

Despite a four-game losing skid to the close the regular season, Lock Haven clinched a share of the PSAC Central title and enters the tournament as the top-seed from the Central Division.

It marked Lock Haven's second straight PSAC Central crown.

Lock Haven is 28-12 overall after going 11-5 in PSAC Central play. The Haven's recent four-game losing skid, snapped a four-game win streak of its own.

LHU hasn't played West Chester since the 2011 PSAC Tournament when the Golden Rams beat Lock Haven twice. WCU is currently 32-17 and coming off a split with Millersville last Saturday. West Chester grabbed the third and final spot in the PSAC East.

Lock Haven went 3-2 at the PSAC Tournament last year and that postseason experience should be a huge benefit for a team more than capable of winnings its first conference crown since 2009.

Not matter what happens this week in Quakertown, the PSAC will crown a new champion as two-time defending champion IUP failed to qualify for the tournament despite a strong late-season run.

Lock Haven will be led by their sophomore-ace Brianna Jennings (Wyalusing, Pa./Wyalusing). Jennings transferred from the University of Delaware mid-year and has been a major factor since her first pitch in Crimson and White. She has a PSAC-best 20 wins (20-6). Her ERA (1.69) and strikeouts (125) both rank among the conference's best.

Offensively, Lock Haven head coach Kelly Shannon hopes to see a major spark this week. Leading the way will be senior Bridgette Clarke (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia), who is leading the team with a .346 batting-average. She's a threat every time she steps to the plate because of her power and speed. Her 15 doubles are tops in the PSAC and she's just one away from tying the all-time LHU single-season record. Clarke has two home runs, 19 RBIs and six stolen bases.

Nicole Smith (Milton, Pa./Milton), a 2012 All-Region selection has her bat going, heading into postseason play. She has a team-high 28 RBIs and leads the team with seven home runs.

LIVE stats will be available for tomorrow's game with West Chester. Check back to www.GoLHU.com for link.

Make sure follow @LHUSoftball on Twitter.