The Rocket

Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Archived Photo Senior starting outfielder Meghan McHenry hits the ball against Salem International on April 3. McHenry is third on the team with eight home runs and has 29 RBIs. [Click to enlarge]

The quest for a berth in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs may be over, but that hasn't stopped the SRU softball team from setting its sights set on something bigger.

The Rock's (24-14 overall, 4-12 PSAC) dream of earning its first PSAC playoff berth since 1984 was shattered a mere eight games into conference play, as SRU was unable to get a win and saw its PSAC record fall to 0-8. Despite the early setbacks, Head Coach Vashion Johnson and his team knew they had what it took to be a contender, it was just a matter of putting it all together.

And after a doubleheader sweep of PSAC rival Edinboro and two wins over regional foe Bowie State, it seems as if the Rock is finally hitting its mark, going 6-2 in its last eight games. And the timing couldn't be better, as the Green and White is making a push for a berth in the regional playoffs.

"Beating Edinboro is definitely going to help us," sophomore catcher Kim Wiendel said. "We split the season series with them, so it forces the coaches that vote for regionals to pick between us."

The Rock's only loss in the eight-game stretch came last Friday at the hands of second-ranked Lock Haven, which is an impressive 36-6 overall and 15-1 in the PSAC.

The Rock lost 10-0 and 6-2, falling to Lock Haven ace Kristin Erb (29-6) for the fourth time this season. In game one, the Rock managed only two hits, never advancing a runner past than second base. Senior Stacey Rhoades lined a single down the right field line to end Erb's no-hit bid in the fourth. Fellow senior Meghan McHenry got the Rock's second and last hit of the game with an infield single in the fifth.

Rhoades was the game one loser for the Rock, after allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in four innings of work. She also struck out three and walked six in the game.

Continued...

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