GREENSBURG, PA- The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg softball team is set to begin their 2020 campaign this weekend with a week-long trip to Florida for 10 games. The team will look to rebound from a 9-27 overall and 5-11 conference record from last season.
Head Coach, Chuck Myers returns for his fifth season at the helm of the Bobcats and has high hopes for the team. His solid core of returners and talented freshmen class, of 11 women, should be a recipe for success. The Myers led crew brings back nearly 70% of their at bats, but zero innings from the circle, where they will rely on a freshmen laden rotation.
Brittany Dunn and Krista Bayus split the pitching duties in 2019 and were the lone players to throw a pitch for the Blue and Gold last season. Bayus will miss all of 2020 after having arm surgery and Dunn will focus on her shortstop duties, therefore this year it will be a whole new pitching staff consisting of four freshmen. Rena Caruso, Drew Diodato, Laila Smith, and Madison Knepp will all hold down the pitcher's circle in 2020.
Jen Miller is the leading returning hitter after posting a .342 batting average and 10 doubles in 2019. Miller started 35 games last year and will likely get the opening day nod behind the plate to start off her senior season. Sophomores, Jaden DiFilippo and Caitlin Kavulick will compete for time at the catcher's position as well.
Across the infield Pitt-Greensburg will bring back Tayjah White, an All-AMCC Third Team selection last season, at first base and their third leading hitter, Brittany Dunn, who tallied a .314 average in 2019, at shortstop. White and Dunn were the lone players to start all 36 games for the Bobcats last year. White smacked a team high two home runs and drove in a team best 15 RBI's. She played at a high level on the defensive side as well last year, as she is the leading returning Bobcat with .972 fielding percentage in 254 chances a year ago. DiFilippo hit .248 last season and will compete for time at second base along with freshmen Kayla Santucci and Hannah Corvin. Senior leader, Jen Miller will also see some time at third base, along with a duo of freshmen, Jules Hughes and Madison Knepp.
In the outfield Pitt-Greensburg will have eight players battling for playing time. The eight players feature four returners and four newcomers. Colleen Murphy headlines the group after getting the start in 35 games the previous year and hitting .278 across a team leading 126 at bats. Madison Hollis put up a .156 average and will look to have a breakout junior campaign in the grass. Utility player, Jaden DiFilippo and sophomore Caitlin Kavulick, who hit .170 in limited at bats a season ago will compete for time in the outfield. Freshmen, Haley Liccketto, Samantha Rice, Madison Lorince, and Laila Smith will all be apart of the outfield mix.
The squad's ten game spring break trip will feature five doubleheaders over six days. Coach Myers is excited for the opportunity to get outside and play ball. He said their goals for the trip is to come out of it with a winning record and gain valuable experience. Overall, Myers is looking for the team to finish in a playoff spot to call it a successful season.
The Bobcats will return home after spring break and play two weekday twinbills prior to open AMCC play on Saturday, March 14 at home versus D'Youville.
Follow Pitt-Greensburg softball all season long online with live stats and video links at pittgreensburgathletics.com and on Twitter (@UPGBobcats), Instagram (@UPGBobcats) and Facebook (Pitt-Greensburg Athletics).
