YSU softball champions exemplify excellence

What ingredients go into the making of a championship collegiate sports team? For answers, one need look no farther than our own backyard, where the Youngstown State University softball team capably captured the Horizon League championship over the weekend with a perfect mix of talent, teamwork and tenacity.
The team's 2-1 victory over top-seeded Illinois-Chicago on Saturday earned it the league title at McCune Park in Canfield. The victory propelled the team to its first appearance in the NCAA regional tournament.
We congratulate the Penguins and wish them well as they prepare to square off against the University of Michigan Wolverines at 7 p.m. Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich. in the first round of those playoffs.
Even though Michigan is making its 12th straight appearance in the NCAA tournament and reigns as the defending national softball champion, the Penguins have a keen knack to profit from their underdog status.
Consider the league tournament, the first that YSU had ever hosted. The Penguins entered the event as the lowly No. 6 seed. By tournament's end, the women had clawed their way to the top through flawless play.
And flawless is no understatement. The Penguins played 26 innings in four winning games without making one error, or even coming close to making an error. YSU thrashed No. 1-seeded Illinois-Chicago handily -- twice. We bet they can repeat that superlative performance at the NCAA tourney.
Some outstanding players
Such confidence is justified by the display of individual talents on the team. Sophomore slugger McKenzie Bedra set Horizon tournament records for homeruns and total bases and was named the event's most valuable player. Senior shortstop and team leader Tiffany Patteson clinched the final game victory and the title with a smashing homerun. Pitcher Karlie Burnell's stellar performance in all four games earned her a berth among tournament standouts, and second baseman Allyse Ledford was named the tournament's outstanding defensive player.
A truly team effort
Individual talents are clearly apparent, but YSU's championship is certainly not the product of any one-woman wonder. Teamwork and camaraderie produced this daunting powerhouse.
"This team has just been amazing this week," said YSU coach Christy Cameron. "They did everything that they needed to do to win. It's been a great bunch to coach all season and I'm so happy for them right now."
We share Coach Cameron's pride for the team and the positive reflection the championship casts on YSU and the Mahoning Valley. For now, we await more of the same display of talent, tenacity and teamwork to carry the Penguins through this weekend's regionals and onto the national finals.