LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The IUP softball program was picked sixth in the western division as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released its 2024 preseason coaches' polls Wednesday afternoon.
Mercyhurst was the favorite to win the PSAC West, receiving four first-place votes, just ahead of Seton Hill (three first-place votes). Gannon and Slippery Rock each earned a first-place vote, followed by California (Pa.) in fifth.
IUP followed in sixth with Clarion, Pitt-Johnstown and Edinboro rounding out the nine-team division In the PSAC East, East Stroudsburg was first with five of nine possible first-place votes. West Chester and Shippensburg followed, picking up a pair of first-place votes each.
Last season
IUP finished 2023 with a 26-23 overall record, going 17-15 in conference play.
The season came down to the final weekend for the Crimson Hawks, who just missed out on a spot in the PSAC Tournament, finishing sixth in the PSAC West via tiebreakers.
Who's back for IUP
IUP returns PSAC West Freshman of the Year
Delaney Patella, who earned All-PSAC West First Team honors in 2023. She smacked nine home runs last season, tied for fourth in program history for a single season, while hitting .378 and slugging .661 in 48 games.
Head coach
Shawna Bellaud also returns leadoff hitter
Paige Truax, who set the program's single-season record with 28 stolen bases in 2023. Posting a team-best 17 multi-hit contests, Truax was third on the team with a .352 batting average.
Jess Cekada,
Jordan Sylvia,
Allyssa Schmidt,
Sara Tailford,
Jaycee Haidze and
Tess Smiley all bring some starting experience to the squad again in 2024 for the Hawks. In the circle,
Elizabeth Kasper (4-4 Rec, 6.13 ERA, 26 K, 2 CG) and
Amanda Fischer (21 App, 43 K, 3 CG) return with starting experience.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
2024 PSAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
WEST (# of first place votes)
1. Mercyhurst (4)
2. Seton Hill (3)
3. Gannon (1)
4. Slippery Rock (1)
5. California
6. IUP
7. Clarion
8. Pitt-Johnstown
9. Edinboro
EAST (# of first place votes)
1. East Stroudsburg (5)
2. West Chester (2)
3. Shippensburg (2)
4. Kutztown
5. Bloomsburg
6. Lock Haven
7. Shepherd
8. Millersville
9. Mansfield
