Photo from wcupagoldenrams.com
West Chester Softball began their season this past Wednesday hosting Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rival Lock Haven here for a doubleheader. Before last season was cancelled after a little over 10 games in, the Lady Rams were on a mission to try and win their third straight Regional Championship.
After starting last season with a 12–3 record and being projected to win the PSAC Eastern Division title, it is safe to say that Head Coach Diane Lokey is excited to be back at the helm. Lokey is entering her 18th season as the softball coach here at WCU, and none of her teams have missed the PSAC Tournament since 2009. She has coached the program to six straight seasons of PSAC divisional titles (2014–2019) and has won PSAC Eastern Division Coach of the Year five times (2008, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2019).
West Chester took both games against Lock Haven, winning an exciting first game 11–10 and then winning in shutout fashion 9–0 in game two.
Game one saw LHU put up a fight. After going down 1–0 in the top of the first, catcher Trisha Kopinetz hit a two-run homerun in the bottom half of the inning to retake the lead.
Lock Haven then put up a three-run second inning, making the score 4–2. WCU happened to have a stronger second inning, putting up seven runs, with four of those being from a Jamie Klemas grand slam.
Fourth-year pitcher Jen Hanshaw threw five innings and picked up the win in relief. She had six strikeouts as well.
I asked Coach Lokey about the feeling of softball being back during that first matchup:
Q: Through those first couple of innings, how did it feel for softball to be back after spring sports were halted nearly a year ago to the date?
A: It was exciting for all involved: the athletic department, athletic training department and our team. Feeling the dirt, hearing the game day sound, being with your teammates — it was just an amazing day for our athletes!
The second game of the doubleheader was shortened due to West Chester scoring in each of the first four innings. Kopinetz smacked a two-run double in the second, and outfielder Annamarie Hartman followed her up with a two-run double of her own the following inning.
The offense was definitely there, but the game also saw a complete game shutout thrown by first-year pitcher Anna Torrens. Torrens allowed only four hits and walked three in five innings, striking out three batters.
I asked Coach Lokey about the performance of the rookie pitcher:
Q: Talk about what you saw from first-year pitcher Anna Torrens in her first career start. To shutout a team that had just scored 10 runs against you earlier that day is quite impressive.
A: Anna had the opportunity to watch the first game which helped her work out some of her nerves and prepare. Mary Picozzi, our other freshman, did not have that advantage. We were very pleased with both of their outings and we look forward to watching their progress. Jen Hanshaw also had a great game, but the team was sloppy with their defense behind her.
With such an impressive showing by the offense, I had to ask Coach Lokey about the lineup:
Q: With 11-run and 9-run showings in your first matchup, this offense has hit the ground running and looks primed for great things. Who are the players in the heart of your lineup that you look to be difference-makers this year?
A: We had a number of players that had strong opening days offensively! We are balanced with speed and power. Our speed — Madison Melvin, Bri Garber, Annamarie Hartman and Grace Agular — had great days. Then you add in our power hitters of Trisha Kopinetz, Courtney Stump and Jaime Klemas, all of which had strong days too.
Aforementioned second baseman Bri Garber is no stranger to having great days. Garber is the all-time hit leader in WCU softball history in career hits (250 and counting) while also holding the single season hit record with 85, set during their run to the National Championship game in 2018.
Garber had two hits and an RBI in the second game against Lock Haven, while also scoring three runs.
I asked Garber about how last season ended:
Q: You were off to a great start last spring, and happened to break the WCU softball record for most career hits before the season was canceled. What does that accomplishment mean to you? How confident are you feeling at the beginning of this season?
A: Breaking the all-time hits record was a really fun accomplishment that allowed me to truly step back and see the support I had around me. Without my family and coaches — especially my dad, who has always been my coach — I would not be the player I am today. I am also thankful to be a part of some incredibly successful teams that would play deep into playoffs, allowing achieving the record to become possible. I am coming into this season confident in our team and excited for the opportunity to play conference games which have always been my favorite!
Q: Being a member of the 2018 and 2019 teams that won Regional Championships, do you feel that you are in a position of leadership for this group?
A: We do have a younger team, but we are still packed with a lot of talented players. The only downside is the fact we can’t get everyone in the game at once! I’m excited to see what this team is able to accomplish. As a fifth-year player and three-year captain, I absolutely feel like I am in a leadership position. The situation that was dealt to us last year has really shown me how much I love softball and playing with these incredible athletes. I am looking to get the most out of this final season and give back as much as possible to the future West Chester softball stars.
On Saturday, the Lady Rams hosted Mansfield University and completed a second consecutive series sweep. The offense was firing on all cylinders in each game, forcing both to end early due to the score. Game one ended 13–4 and game two ended by a score of 17–6.
For updates on the WCU softball team and other sports programs, check out www.wcupagoldenrams.com.
Tyler Grace is a fourth-year economics and finance major. TG885739@wcupa.edu