Softball 2/27/2024 12:00:00 PM Softball 2024 Season Preview - Volt Division LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its softball Volt Division preview for the 2024 season. The Volt Division consists of six teams, with each program squaring off against one another in a 20-game conference season. The top five teams will earn a bid to the postseason which begins on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The 4-seed will host the 5-seed in a single elimination game to advance to the weekend’s four-team double-elimination tournament hosted at the overall 1-seed. The double-elimination tournament begins on Friday, May 3, 2024, and will conclude on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The Volt Division Champion will then advance to a three-game series against the Volt Division champion beginning on Friday, May 10, 2024. The winner of that series will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference’s automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Softball Championship. Gallaudet University Justen Burns begins his 6th season as the Head Coach of Gallaudet Softball in 2024. Sophomore Christina Elsbury returns after a Second Team All-United East first year while hitting .301 with only 5 strikeouts, 21 Runs Scored, 2 doubles, 3 triples, and 20 RBI. In the circle, Elsbury led the United East in Innings Pitched (158.1 IP) and finished 11th in NCAA Division III for complete games (22). Junior Caitlyn Smith started 38 games at shortstop and ranked 7th in the United East for triples (3) while hitting .261 with four doubles, 15 RBI’s, and 4 SB’s. The Bison host non-conference matchups with Wilson, Valley Forge, and NYU before United East play begins on March 27th with a DH at Lancaster Bible. Coach’s Outlook: “After a successful 2023, I am pleased with the 2024 newcomers' overall performance. We are looking forward to what this season will hold.” Lancaster Bible College John Clemens begins his 3rd season with the Lancaster Bible College softball team in 2024 with an experienced team looking to take a step forward this year. Senior shortstop Phoebe Clemens looks forward to following up a 2023 1st Team All-United East season where she hit .458, with 58 Hits and 39 RBI en route to NCCAA All American status. Senior pitcher/outfielder Alyssa Hamilton was a 2023 2nd Team All-United East selection and earned All-Region status after hitting .333 with 41 Hits and 15 RBI at the plate while posting a 3.76 ERA in the circle. Junior 2nd base/pitcher Sheyenne King hit .293 last season with 34 hits with 12 RBI. Coach’s Outlook: “2024 will be a good turn around year for us. With a strong incoming freshman group, and stepped up efforts by our returning core, we are excited for the season to begin. This is an excellent group of players who are competitive and dedicated to elevating our Charger program while playing for a higher purpose. We look forward to competing for the Volt Division title.” Penn College Angie Stackhouse begins her fourth season as Head Coach of the Penn College softball program coming off of a 2023 season in which the Wildcats won the United East regular season and an ECAC postseason championship. Junior Mackenzie Weaver leads the way in the circle after a 2023 which saw her finish 3rd in the nation with an ERA of 0.73, picked up United East First Team All-Conference and Pitcher of the Year honors, had 18 wins, a perfect game, and a no hitter. Weaver was also the ECAC Tournament MVP and a NFCA Third Team All-Region honoree. Senior catcher/3B Ivvy Morder was a Second Team All-Conference honoree after hitting .347 with 24 RBI and 11 doubles while sophomore catcher Lexi Snyder hit .344 with 18 RBI and 10 doubles. The Wildcats open the 2024 season in Myrtle Beach, S.C. for non-conference games before returning home and opening United East play against Penn State Harrisburg on March 27th. Coach’s Outlook: “With our key returners we look to remain competitive for the 2024 season. Everyone in our program is looking forward to building on last season's successes and we are excited for the start of the season in Myrtle Beach, SC. We have lots of opportunities against quality opponents in our non-conference schedule and look forward to another excellent season of competition within the United East. We have a well rounded group of players and we are beyond excited to take the field with Pack 23 this season!” Penn State Abington Caytlin (Friis) Lihotz enters her seventh season, fifth as Head Coach, with Penn State Abington Softball with a young squad led by a trio of juniors searching for continued playoff successes in 2024. Junior pitcher/outfielder Gretchen Yanss broke the single-season strikeout record with 134 K’s and batted a team-best .375 en route to a First Team All-Conference nod in 2023. Junior catcher Callie Chambers was a First Team All-Conference honoree in 2023 after fielding .986 and caught five runners stealing while junior Hailey Gamble slugged .481 and led the team in extra base hits. Abington opens the 2024 season in Myrtle Beach, SC for eight spring break games before returning home and non-conference matchups with Immaculata, Neumann, and Rosemont. United East play begins on March 27th with a doubleheader against Penn State Berks. Coach’s Outlook: “We are a team with a lot of young talent this year. We are excited to open our season in a couple of weeks down in Myrtle Beach, SC against some good competition. Looking forward to seeing what our young roster can accomplish this season.” Penn State Berks Entering her 11th season as Head Coach of Penn State Berks Softball, Donna Ference’s squad looks to continue success into the 2024 season after a United East Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023. Junior Naomi Fay returns after playing multiple positions, hitting .358 with 23 RBI’s and a First Team All-Conference honor. Senior Savanna Wilson hit .276 with 15 RBI’s last season and fielded .961 from the shortstop position as well as earning an All-Sportsmanship nod. Berks will open the 2024 season in Clermont, Fl. over spring break before returning home for non-conference matchups with Wilkes, Albright, and Gwynedd Mercy. United East play begins on March 27th with a doubleheader against Penn State Abington. Coach’s Outlook: “We are counting on the returning players, along with several talented freshmen, to step up and make us a solid team. We are looking forward to a great season and returning to the playoffs.” Penn State Harrisburg Head Coach Mandi Baer begins her fifth season at the helm of Penn State Harrisburg Softball in 2024 with an experienced team after an appearance in the United East Championship Game and setting the single-season program record for wins in 2023. Junior shortstop Maddy Lehigh was a First Team All-United East performer in addition to NFCA All-Region Second Team after slashing .500 BA/ .627 OBP / .827 SLG in conference play. Sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Sawdey earned Rookie of the Year and an All-United East First Team nod after striking out 136 batters, throwing 5 shutouts, and posting a 1.49 ERA in conference play. Sophomore DP Rylee Martinez returns as well after slashing .417 BA / .485 OBP / .550 SLG in conference play. Harrisburg softball opens up 2024 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. for spring break games before returning to non-conference action against Keystone, Elizabethtown, Widener, and Messiah throughout the season. United East play begins on March 27 with a matchup against Penn College. Coach’s Outlook: “We are looking forward to getting back out on the field to have a successful 2024 season. With a great mix of experience and young talent the team is ready to work hard this spring. With depth in all positions our players are ready to push each other to the next level. This team has great potential and we are excited to see where it takes us!” FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram - gounitedeast | Twitter - @GoUnitedEast * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.