The Penn softball team is ready to resume play after being idle for over a week - and, as a surprising treat, will do so in its own backyard.
Following a weekend full of snow, sleet and several cancelled games, including one against St. Joseph's, the players will get to stretch their legs today against Lafayette (5-5), a team whose number they've regularly had in the past. Though the doubleheader was originally scheduled to take place at Lafayette on Thursday, the field conditions in the Lehigh Valley have moved the game to the Quakers' own Warren Field.
"It's really disappointing to have missed a weekend worth of games. We don't get to play that many anyway in the Ivy League, so everyone is really anxious to get back outside," said head coach Leslie King.
The Red and Blue, who have improved to 7-5 after two morale-boosting wins against Delaware last Wednesday, are currently on a three-game win streak, sticking to their usual tenacious hitting and also showing signs of progress in the pitching staff.
Penn's lineup, which consists of strong hitters such as junior Annie Kinsey, freshman Keiko Uraguchi and last week's Ivy Softball Player of the Week, senior Stephanie Reichert, expects to perform well against the Leopards.
"Kaelin Ainley and Brandi King hit very well against Delaware, as did Melissa Haffner," King added.
"One through nine, our line-up is pretty formidable. We just need two-thirds of our girls to hit and we're going to be okay. If all of us hit, it's going to be a good day."
Lafayette, which has suffered losses by wide margins to the Quakers in the past year, will arrive at Warren Field weather-weary but ready to play. The players realize that the Leopards are, in King's words, "a very, very solid and well-coached team."
King is also familiar with one of the Leopards' freshman utility hitters, who had at one time shown interest in Penn.
"Christina Giambrone has a really good bat and is an excellent shortstop," King remarked of Lafayette's new roster addition, a player who could certainly up the ante in today's game.
Sophomore Emily Denstedt, who pitched well against the Blue Hens in Penn's first win over Delaware, will probably start the first game at Warren Field.
The players feel confident their healthy balance between offense and defense will bring them another victory and an extension of their streak.
"We should take some confidence out of the wins that we have and continue to build on it," King remarked. "The confidence in the team, particularly from the Delaware sweep, is very high."
