LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The IUP softball program was picked second in the western division as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released its 2025 preseason coaches' polls Wednesday afternoon.
Gannon was the favorite to win the PSAC West, receiving six first-place votes, IUP received one, follow by third placed California (Pa.) who received one first place vote as well.
In the PSAC East, East Stroudsburg ranks first, receiving five first-place votes, followed by West Chester and Shippensburg who each received two first-place votes. Kutztown grabbed third place in between the two.
Last Season
IUP finished 2024 with a 29-25 overall record and a 15-17 mark in the conference. Last season they finished fifth in the PSAC West behind Slippery Rock and ahead of Mercyhurst. Gannon, Seton Hill, and Cal U (Pa.) claimed the top three spots.
IUP made a PSAC Tournament appearance but dropped in the first round to Shippensburg and then Bloomsburg in the elimination round.
Who's back for IUP
IUP returns All-PSAC West First Team picks
Delaney Patella and
Madison Pikula who were also Second Team selections by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Pikula rounded out the season making 52 game starts with Patella starting 51 games. Pikula set the IUP single season record with 82 hits and 61 runs scored, part of a stellar season at the plate. She ranked 18th nationally in hits as the driving force for IUP's offensive surge in 2024, which set numerous program records. Pikula drove in 35 runs on the season. Patella continued her stellar production again in 2024 for IUP, hitting .349 with 42 RBI and a team-high nine home runs, to rank her 16th in the PSAC. Patella ranks first in the conference in on-base percentage (.539) and holds the program record with 80 walks.
Head coach,
Shawna Bellaud, returns a majority of her roster, including key players
Jordan Sylvia (.346 avg, 47 starts, 54 hits, 35 runs, eight HR, 247 C),
Paige Truax (.410 avg, 50 starts, 64 hits, 43 runs, 26 RBI), and
Kendall Young (14-11 Rec., 3.28 ERA, 106 K, 14 CG) who were all All-PSAC Second Team honorees.
IUP also returns plenty of starting experience to this year's squad, including
Jess Cekada,
Jaycee Haidze,
Tess Smiley, Madison Griffin,
Kelly Szolek, and
Brianna Pusateri.
2025 PSAC Softball Preseason Polls (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
Eastern Division
1. East Stroudsburg (5)
2. West Chester (2)
3. Kutztown
4. Shippensburg (2)
5. Bloomsburg
6. Shepherd
7. Lock Haven
8. Millersville
9. Mansfield
Western Division
1. Gannon (6)
2. IUP (1)
3. California (1)
4. Slippery Rock
5. Seton Hill
6. Edinboro
7. Clarion
8. Pitt-Johnstown
Follow
For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
