2023 PSUAC Softball Championship Preview: Brandywine Looks Win 8th Straight Title, Must Fend Off 4 Challengers
By Zach Donaldson
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The rain got in the way in the opening round of the softball bracket, forcing changes to the remainder of the playoff slate. But the show must go on, and we'll have live action at Nittany Lion Softball Park in State College on Sunday, May 7th.
After getting in just 4 1/2 of the necessary eight games from last weekend, playoff games will resume on Friday, May 5th at Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Brandywine complete their suspended game. Both teams will then travel to University Park to join three others with a PSUAC title aspirations. For more information on the schedule modifications due to the rain, click here.
Let’s take a look at the teams in the softball bracket battling for the gold:
#1 Penn State Brandywine
Brandywine is currently in a suspended contest with #5 Schuylkill leading 6-0, with the game currently set to resume on Friday, May 5 at 3:30 p.m. It might take a bit longer than originally anticipated, but Brandywine is seeking its eighth straight championship and it’s off to a solid start. A win advances them directly to the 7:00 p.m. semifinal game on Sunday at Nittany Lion Softball Park, where they could face Schuylkill again or Penn State DuBois.
A loss on Friday would not be the end of the road either, as Brandywine would still have a path to the title game through the loser's bracket. It would be a similar route to the one they took to the championship last year.
#2 Penn State Mont Alto
Mont Alto beat New Kensington 9-3 in its opening round matchup and is on to the next. But as New Kensington beat Beaver, Mont Alto has a rematch with a trip to the championship on the line.
In the team’s opening round matchup, it had contributions from all throughout the lineup registering a total of 13 hits. McKenna Sas and Abigail Cunningham led the way with three hits each, while Sas also had four RBIs and Cunningham added one.
#3 Penn State New Kensington
New Kensington fell short against Mont Alto but beat Beaver twice to advance to the next round. Almost every starter recorded at least one hit across the two wins against Beaver, with Olivia Waldrop and Delaney Sierka recording three each.
Ace Addyson Gregg wasn’t her usual self, tossing three innings and allowing three runs on six hits and three walks. But Madison Hoyt stepped in and picked up her teammate, allowing just two hits and no runs across four innings of action. New Kensington also stole five bases in the two wins, keeping true to its identity. They'll look to advance to the championship game in their first year back in the playoffs after a long drought.
#4 Penn State DuBois
DuBois suffered a crushing loss to Schuylkill in the opening round after leading for six innings. The team posted 11 hits and Abby Pentz, Brianna Bone and Kelsey Stuart each had two.
Contingent on the pending result of the Brandywine/Schuylkill game, DuBois might have a shot at getting its revenge. It will need solid outings from Kelsey Stuart and the offense to get back in the mix and advance to the semifinals, but considering how tightly packed the field is DuBois could certainly make a run. The 3:00 p.m. game winner will advance to the 7:00 p.m. semifinal contest.
#5 Penn State Schuylkill
Schuylkill is down 6-0 to Brandywine in the suspended opening round game, and if the score stands as is, Schuylkill would take on DuBois and need to win to keep its season alive.
Schuylkill beat DuBois 7-6 in the opening round after rallying for five runs in the top of the seventh inning. Cealinn McGroarty ignited the fire with a single to score Caitlyn Goggin, then Kaely Walshaw capitalized by blasting a grand slam to clear the bases and score four for the lead. If Schuylkill cannot complete a similar comeback against Brandywine on Friday it will find itself in the 3:00 p.m. game on Sunday, still with a chance to advance.
#6 Penn State Beaver
Beaver lost its opening round matchups, both to #3 New Kensington 2-0 and then a narrow 5-4, thus ending its season.
Head coach Andy Kirschner’s squad’s season ceases with a 20-17 overall record and a 9-10 conference mark.
Zach Donaldson is s senior majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State University. To contact him, email zach.donaldson1@gmail.com