Penn State Scranton Softball Thrilled to Get a Chance to Play in 20

By Ross Turetsky, Penn State Scranton Athletics

After being out of action for a whole calendar year due to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State Scranton's softball squad is energized and ready to take the field for an exciting 2021 campaign led by veteran head coach and former player Mar Tsakonas and her assistant coach Moriah Lynn. The Lions will play a highly competitive schedule, all against fellow Penn State schools in their conference, with a total of 24 ball games, 10-home and 14-on the road. After just a few weeks of practice to prepare, the new season will kick-off in a hurry, as Scranton will travel to play Penn State Schuylkill for an afternoon doubleheader on March 24^th, followed by another tough road twin bill against Penn State Hazleton on March 26^th, before making their home debut against Hazleton the very next day. Besides Schuylkill and Hazleton, the Lions will face off against Penn State Du Bois and Brandywine, including wrapping up the 2021 regular season with a home doubleheader against Brandywine on April 20^th.

A key player on this year's squad is their starting catcher and sophomore team captain Kathryn Lahey, who became such a valued leader that as a freshman was named a team captain right before the season unfortunately was shut down from the pandemic a year ago. Like many of her teammates, Lahey is ecstatic to finally get the chance to take the field to play the game they love. "It was definitely disappointing last year, I remember the day Mr. Mallas came in and told Coach Mar that we are pushing the games back, which was around March last year, and eventually they just got canceled and we were told we weren't having a season anymore. It was just so disappointing to hear because we were all just so excited to play and we really thought we had a good chance for a good season. So definitely coming up this year, we are super excited for this season, we can't wait to see what it brings us and we are just hoping for the best. It's just going to be so exciting to take the field for the first time. I've wanted to put on this jersey and actually play in a real game since my freshman year. The energy is going to be amazing, I just have a good feeling," said Lahey.

Another key contributor for the Lions will be their senior team captain and starting second baseman Lauren Sciabbarrasi, as she looks to finish her collegiate softball career on a high note and savor every moment. "I've been playing here since I was a freshman and just getting to grow with these girls and getting to play with them for the past four years has been such a blessing. Just getting to have my senior season, especially after not getting to play last year, I'm so excited to get to play with this group of girls," said Sciabbarrasi.

As for her overall outlook on the season, both individually and for her team, Sciabbarrasi remains very hopeful and grateful. "Particularly my main goal for myself is actually batting at the plate. I'm known for chasing some things out of the strike zone, so I want to hone that in and only swing at pitches I'm confident I can hit. Coach Mar actually helped adjust my batting stance, I now have a shorter stance and Coach Moriah, when I'm in the cage, instead of just throwing me pitches all the time, she will give me a wide range of things, so I can work on seeing the ball and being more selective. There's definitely a good vibe with this group of girls that I haven't seen before, so I think our communication on the field is going to be much different than it has in the past in the best way possible, and I'm hoping to walk away with a few wins as well. It's going to be bitter sweet because in the moment you don't realize, for me personally, it's going to be my last season and right in the same breath, I'm just so thankful I do get to have a final season as well," said Sciabbarrasi.

One newcomer to the squad to keep a close eye on will definitely be fellow senior Vanessa Wolf, the talented stand-out center fielder transferred to Penn State Scranton after some time playing ball at Lackawanna College and now is looking to finish her playing career in triumphant fashion. "I'm absolutely nervous, it's been about a year and half since I've been on a field, so it's definitely different but I'm just excited to get out there finally. Since it's my last time playing, I just want have fun and see if I can break any records. I'd like to go out on top, all the way on top," said Wolf.

With numerous other talented players on her roster this year, such as her top pitcher, junior Emily Scarfo, third baseman/pitcher, sophomore Rachel Kranick, stellar speedy outfielder, sophomore Rachel Butler, and sophomore shortstop Abigail Torres, to name a few, Coach Mar likes how her team is shaping up. "Obviously we would like to win some games, which I feel we are competitive enough to be able throw some wins in that column. We want to complete our full schedule and them getting that experience that they missed out on last year. Just overall building that bond and being able to have these memories that aren't just on Zoom and being able to say that they made it through the toughest year and all of their hard work paid off would be a success," said Coach Mar.