The Penn softball team’s roster may have a new look this season, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
After losing five players from last season and welcoming eight fresh faces, the Quakers are looking to build upon their success against St. Joseph’s Wednesday with another strong showing against Monmouth tomorrow.
As evidence that the younger players will play an important role in the team’s success, King pointed to the fact that her team outscored St. Joe’s, 7-2, despite losing 14-1 to the Hawks last season.
After cracking down defensively in Penn’s first game against St. Joe’s, a 1-0 loss, the team rallied back to an easy 7-1 victory in the night cap.
“Yesterday’s game gave a lot of the young hitter’s some confidence,” King said. “[And] defensively we’re stronger this year and that gives our pitchers a lot of confidence.”
King and her team will look to use that defensive strength against a Monmouth team (1-7) that has gotten off to a slow start this season. The Hawks enter today’s contest in West Long Branch, N.J. looking to put an end to a seven-game skid.
Though Penn (3-6) has been struggling with a smaller pitching rotation this season, sophomores Chelsea Ott and Cailyn Hennessey have both shut down opponents on the mound this season.
Both allowed only one run in complete game efforts Wednesday.
“We’ve asked a lot of them, and they’ve taken it on board to continue to improve,” King said.
The Quakers will rely on junior Alisha Prystowsky to generate run support for the pitching staff. She currently leads the team with a .407 batting average.
“Prystowsky is carrying on from where she left off last year and continuing to lead the charge offensively,” King said.
With a new youthful vigor and sparking play from its stars, Penn is banking on tomorrow’s games to be a strong indication of what’s to come for the rest of the season.
“Monmouth is always a solid team and we’re pretty evenly matched,” said King. “It will be interesting to see what they’re like this season.”
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