WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - After putting together a record-breaking regular season, Penn State Harrisburg's softball team is set to take part in the 2022 United East Championship Tournament at Penn College this weekend.
Led by United East Coach of the Year Mandi Baer, the Lions (26-12, 20-6 United East) are in the midst of the most successful campaign in program history, during which they set new single-season records for wins (26), win percentage (.684), and conference victories (20). Thanks to their record in United East play, the Blue & White secured the No. 2 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. The single-elimination tournament will take place on the campus of top-seeded Penn College on Sunday, May 8.
As a team, the Lions lead the nation with 433 hits and rank top-five in runs (331), batting average (.392), and on-base percentage (.462). Madelyn Lehigh burst onto the scene as a freshman and currently ranks second in the country with 63 hits. The Harrisburg, Pa. native also leads the conference in batting average (.485) and on-base percentage (.556). She was named the United East Rookie of the Year for her efforts.
Lehigh was joined by teammates Steph Reider, McKenzie Boozel, Delaney Nevius, and Lauren Hess on the all-conference first team, while Madelyn Krantz and Carissa Yeager earned second-team all-conference honors. Reider, who leads the team in slugging percentage (.697), and Krantz recently surpassed the 100-hit mark for their careers, while Boozel reset the single-season record for RBI (44). Yeager's 19 wins inside the circle this spring also stand as a new single-season record.
Penn State Harrisburg is joined by top seed and defending league champion Penn College (28-7, 26-2 United East), No. 3 Penn State Berks (23-12, 20-8 United East), and No. 4 Penn State Abington (24-14, 19-9 United East) as teams competing for the conference title and an automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
The Lions open tournament play against Penn State Berks on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. A victory over Berks would send the Blue & White to the conference championship game, tentatively scheduled for a 2 p.m. start, for the second straight season.
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the handle @pshbgathletics.
2022 United East Softball Championship Tournament
Sunday, May 8
Game 1: No. 1 Penn College vs. No. 4 Penn State Abington - 10 a.m. (Video | Live Stats)
Game 2: No. 2 Penn State Harrisburg vs. No. 3 Penn State Berks - 12 p.m. (Video | Live Stats)
Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner - 2 p.m. (Video | Live Stats)