EAST STROUDSBURG – Coming off a season where it shattered its program-record for wins, the East Stroudsburg University softball team looks to start the 2023 season on the right foot in the Sunshine State against Nova Southeastern, Palm Beach Atlantic and Barry this weekend. 

How to Follow: All contests this weekend will be broadcasted on the Sunshine State Conference Digital Network. With live stats available on each home school’s website (Nova Southeastern, Palm Beach Atlantic, Barry). ESU’s home contests and PSAC matchups can be found at esuwarriors.com/watch. 

Who’s Back: ESU returns four starters in its infield in Denva Shaw-Tait (1B), Molly Nies (2B), Lexi Wright (SS) and Reilly Vicendese, while centerfielder Brooke McKeown, who led the Warriors in hits is back in the outfield. All-PSAC East First Team designated player Katherine Donaghue also returns to the lineup. In the circle, Leigh Ann Jenkins looks to lead the Warriors after pacing the conference in hits allowed, runs allowed, earned-runs allowed while ranking second in the PSAC in earned run average, sixth in opposing batting average a season ago. Paige Zigmund also looks to make an impact once again, as the Bethlehem native posted a 10-2 record with a 3.02 ERA during her first season as a Warrior in 2022. 

Who’s Not: The Warriors look to replace both corner outfield positions in LF Ashley Spencer (ESU’s all-time RBI leader) and Sofia Cecchin (2nd all-time in runs and stolen bases), who both graduated. Rachel Seiverd, who started in 21 games a season ago, has moved into a graduate assistant role with the coaching staff. Two-time All-PSAC East catcher Kaitlyn Caleen also graduated.

Who’s New: The Warriors welcome Maryland transfer, redshirt freshman Jada Smallwood to the squad and is expected to make an immediate impact as a utility player. Additional newcomers include: Gabby Vazquez, Giana Fredericks, Kasey Ulmer, Jade Hassler, Shannon Harvey, Samantha Derickson, Maddy Pritchard, Marina Burkovicova and Eve Beuchat.   

PSAC EAST (# of First-Place Votes)
1. Shippensburg (5)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. Bloomsburg (1)
4. Shepherd
5. West Chester
6. East Stroudsburg
7. Lock Haven
8. Millersville
9. Mansfield
 
PSAC WEST
1. Mercyhurst (4)
2. Seton Hill (3)
3. California (Pa.) (2)
4. Gannon
5. IUP
6. Pitt-Johnstown
7. Slippery Rock
8. Edinboro

Schedule: After six games in three days in Florida, ESU returns home to play Holy Family (Feb. 26), Queens (Feb. 28) to open the home schedule at Creekview Park. The Warriors then head to Jefferson (March 3), before its first conference contests at Shippensburg (March 8).

ESU closes the non-conference slate with four consecutive home doubleheaders with Wilmington (March 10), Southern New Hampshire (March 13), Chestnut Hill (March 15) and Dominican N.Y. (March 19). 

Conference Slate: The new PSAC Softball format includes home-and-home doubleheaders with all eight PSAC East foes, accounting for 32 games. ESU’s first home PSAC doubleheader will be against Millersville on March 21. 

Postseason: Once again, the PSAC Championships will be hosted at Veterans Park in Quakertown. The conference Postseason: championships begin on May 3 and end on May 6th. ESU looks to punch a ticket to its second NCAA Tournament in three seasons and its fourth overall, with the NCAA Regional Round beginning on May 11. The NCAA Softball Championships will take place in Chattanooga, Tenn. on May 25.