YSU softball team eyes Horizon title

The senior-laden Penguins begin their season today in California.

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State’s softball team is in California this weekend where they will open its 2008 season with a doubleheader today against St. Mary’s in Moraga, Calif., with a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.

The Penguins are coming off a 15-22 season from a year ago and were just 7-7 in the Horizon League under head coach Christy Cameron, who begins her ninth season.

YSU enters the season with only one goal — reclaim the Horizon League softball title it won back in 2006.

With 14 letterwinners, eight starters and six seniors returning, the Penguins feel they have the necessary experience to make a run for the league crown.

“I feel fortunate to have the large number of experienced players on this year’s squad,” said Cameron.

That experience includes six players with more than 75 games played and four players that have played in at least 100 contests.

Those four are all seniors and are led by third baseman McKenzie Bedra, who last season became YSU’s all-time home run leader with 23. Bedra, a first-team All-Horizon League selection last season, batted .416 and hit nine home runs. She was also the 2006 Horizon League Tournament’s Most Valuable Player and became the first player since 1983 to bat over .400 for the season.

Senior Becky Hibner, who has played in 138 games at YSU, returns at first base where she batted .313 last year.

Behind the plate is junior catcher Kristen McDonnell, who has 16 career home runs and six of those came last season for the Penguins.

The Penguins also have two veterans in the outfield including seniors Beth Hafley and Jamie Fornal, the other two 100-game plus performers.

Pitching appears to be the biggest hole the Penguins need to fill as they lost Karlie Burnell, who posted 27 victories in her last two seasons.

Hoping to fill that gap will be sophomore Danielle Chase, who had three wins in 2007, sophomores Cheryl Cole and Erin Schindler and junior Tasha Hess.

Following today’s opening doubleheader with St. Mary’s, the Penguins will then take part in the Santa Clara Tournament on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Penguins open the tournament against Providence at 7 p.m. Friday and also play Sacramento State Friday at 9 p.m. They have games with Campbell, Santa Clara and North Dakota State on Saturday and Sunday.

The Penguins don’t open the home portion of their schedule until April 1 when they entertain Niagara in a doubleheader at McCune Park in Canfield beginning at 2 p.m.