LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University softball team is scheduled to open the season with six games at the 2017 Snow Bird Freeze out Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. LHU opened its season last year at this same tournament and posted a 3-3 record.
Last season proved to be a special one for LHU and the Bald Eagles look for their weekend in South Carolina to be another strong starting point for what looks to be a strong 2017 season.
The weekend schedule:
Friday, February 17; 12 p.m. vs. New Haven
Friday, February 17; 2 p.m. vs. Concord
Saturday, February 18; 12 p.m. vs. Wilmington (Del.)
Saturday, February 18; 2 p.m. vs. Glenville State
Sunday, February 19; 10 a.m. vs. Southern New Hampshire
Sunday, February 19; 12 p.m. vs. Le Moyne
Bald Eagles picked 2nd in PSAC Central:
LHU was picked second in the 2017 PSAC Central Division Preseason Coaches' Poll. Bloomsburg received all six first-place votes and was tabbed as the PSAC Central's preseason favorite. West Chester was picked first in the East and California (Pa.) was tabbed as the favorite in the Western Division.
LHU is coming off a 36-win season, which marked most wins since 2009. Last season LHU made the PSAC tournament for the first time since 2013.
LHU returns 10 starters from last year as well as a pair of starting pitchers.
Slattery earns 2017 Preseason All-American Honors:
Bekah Slattery has been named to the Fastpitch News NCAA pre-season DII All-American Second Team.
Award honorees returning:
PSAC: LHU will be returning four players who earned 2016 All-PSAC East honors, including Slattery,
McKenna Garlock,
Rachel Mouillesseaux and
Michelle Holweger. Slattery was also named the Central Pitcher of the Year.
Atlantic Region: Slattery, Garlock and Mouillesseaux all were named to the 2016 DII Atlantic Region/District 2 team. Slattery earned first time while both Garlock and Mouillesseaux earned 2nd team honors. Holweger was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association DII Atlantic Region team.
Slattery had a phenomenal freshman year that saw a 22-9 record after appearing in 37 games. She posted a 1.62 ERA with 187 strikeouts. Slattery threw 22 complete games with nine of them being shutouts.
Mouillesseuax picked up 14 wins in the circle for LHU in 30 appearances. She had a 2.66 ERA, while striking out 100 batters. Mouillesseaux threw 15 complete games.
Garlock started all 55 games for The Haven, hitting .345 from the plate. She had 58 hits, 16 doubles and 37 RBIs Garlock, a senior, is now a three-time All-Conference selection and a reliable defensive player as well.
Holweger also started all 55 games for LHU, hitting .343 for the year. She tallied 58 hits, six homeruns and 42 RBIs.
2016 Postseason:
LHU went 3-2 at the 2016 PSAC Tournament. On day one Lock Haven defeated Kutztown 4-3. The Bald Eagles were then forced to play three elimination game on the same day. They beat Millersville 5-2 and Kutztown 5-3 before falling to eventual PSAC Champion Bloomsburg 3-2. This was the first appearance for The Haven at the PSAC tournament since 2013.
The Bald Eagles then got a bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 7 seed. That marked the 12
th appearance in program history. In their first matchup they took on Charleston in a thrilling 13-inning game. They eventually lost 2-1 after the game was suspended because of heavy rain and field conditions in the top of the 10
th inning with both teams scoreless. LHU then fell to West Chester 6-1 to wrap up the 2016 season.
LHU adds depth to roster:
The Bald Eagles have a talented group of newcomers.
Jessica Allen - Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore
-2X All-State selection
-2X First Team All-Heartland Athletic Conference
Kayla Gee – Williamsport, Pa./Niagara
-2
nd team All-State Pitcher
-2X Sun-Gazette Player of the Year
-All Conference selection
Casey Carpenter - Spring Brook, Pa./North Pocono
-3X All-Region selection
Chloe Kennedy - Elkton, MD./Caravel Academy
-2X Golden Glove Award
Madison Mathes – Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton
-Atlantic City Press All-Star Second Team
Up Next:
After the Snow Bird Freeze Out, LHU will return to the field at the Shaw Tournament starting on March 3. LHU will play five games from Friday to Sunday starting with Charleston at 4 p.m. (Friday, March 3).
Lock Haven's first home game is set for Sunday, March 26 vs. Millersville and the Bald Eagles will open PSAC Central play vs. IUP on Friday, March 31.
- - -
*
please note – for the three season-opening tournaments (Shaw Tournament, Salem Tournament & Salem Invitational), box scores & game recaps may not be immediately available/posted after the games.
