Built for this: After not making the NCAA Tournament in 2022 after setting a new wins record, the Warriors put together a strong non-conference schedule that features a pair of finalists in Wilmington and Nova Southeastern.
Too Hollywood for Hollywood?: After ESU evened the NCAA Super Regional at 1-1 with a 3-0 win in game two against Charleston, Leigh Ann Jenkins took the circle for game three, pitching in her first contest in 15 days and her final game on her home field. Her opponent? Her former team in Charleston, in which she spent the 2019 season. Jenkins tossed a four- hit shutout to punch the Warriors’ ticket to Chattanooga.
Trending upwards: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, ESU has thrived on the diamond, matching or setting a new wins record in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Warriors were regional finalists in 2021, matching its program record with 29 wins, originally set in 2006’s NCAA Tournament season. In 2022, ESU set a new wins record with 34, but did not earn one of five at-large bids into the NCAA Tournament after falling twice in three games during the PSAC Tournament. The Warriors returned six starters from the 2022 squad, losing its all-time RBIs leader in Ashley Spencer (LF), its speedy right fielder Sophia Cecchin, two-time All-PSAC East Catcher Kaitlyn Caleen, and freshman All-PSAC East Second Team pitcher Katie Zaun.
Got Turf?: ESU look to continue its strong performances on the turf surface at Frost Stadium this week. On turf fields this season, the Warriors boast a record of 30-5 with games played at ESU’s off-campus home at Creekview Park (26-5) Shippensburg’s Robb Field (2-0). The turf field has given the Warriors an intimidating home-field advantage, posting a record of 70-16 since moving to the Stroudsburg facility in 2019.
A look at UNG: The Nighthawks are making their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Softball Championships, falling just six times in 65 games in 2023. UNG sports a potent offense that ranks fifth in the country in batting average (.362), second in doubles (111), 15th in home runs, fourth in runs per game, while scoring the most runs and hits of any team in NCAA DII. Hannah Forehand’s 78 RBIs leads the nation, while Sophie Mooney ranks seventh in hits this season. Pitching is also a strength, with the team holding a 1.95 ERA.
Preseason Polls: Despite being one of eight teams remaining out of 273 NCAA Division II teams, ESU was predicted by the leagues coaches to finish sixth of nine teams in the PSAC East.
NCAA Tournament History: The Warriors are in the midst of its fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament, after previous selection in 2006, 2007 and 2021. ESU holds a record of 11-7, posting three wins in three games during the NCAA Atlantic Region pod 1 and took two games out of a three-game series against No. 3 seed Charleston to advance to its first-ever NCAA Softball Championships.
Warrior National Champions: The ESU softball team looks to join ESU field hockey this academic year as the top NCAA Division II team in its respective sport, after the Warriors’ field hockey team took down Shippensburg in Seattle his past fall at the NCAA Division II Festival. That was the second national title for the program, also hoisting the national title in 2015. Other Warrior national championship teams include men’s soccer (1962 - NAIA), archery (1975 - Mixed, 1976-77 - US Intercollegiate [Men]), men’s gymnastics (1983-84, NCAA DII). The 2022 ESU women’s lacrosse team nearly joined the exclusive list, falling just short to UIndy, 11-9, in the national championship game in St. Charles, Mo.
A Look Ahead: With a win, ESU will battle the winner of No. 2 Central Oklahoma and No. 7 Nova Southeastern on Friday at 2:30 p.m. A loss in the double-elimination tournament will have the Warriors taking on the loser of the the Bronchos and Sharks on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in an elimination game.
