The Slippery Rock University softball team was set for back-to-back doubleheaders against Ursuline College and Malone University during the week to take a break from their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action. With both matchups now canceled, the team looks to jump right back into conference play with another set of doubleheaders.
Friday, The Rock will face California University (Pa.), followed by a two-game series against Seton Hill University on Saturday.
Coming off a 12-game winning streak, the White and Green’s rhythm was disrupted after dropping two games to Indiana University (Pa.) last Saturday. SRU lost game one 9-5 and were mercy-ruled 9-0 in five innings for game two.
The loss brought The Rock’s record to 22-12 overall and 16-4 inside the conference. Thanks to Clarion University also dropping two games, SRU earned a spot in the PSAC tournament for the fourth season in a row.
Leading the team is captain Aubrey Mansfield. Holding that position for nearly three years now, the senior holds the record for doubles and games played in SRU history. Mansfield has tallied 43 second base hits in her collegiate career.
Freshman Maddie Cavenaugh has also made an immediate impact, ranking 14th in home runs and 17th in stolen bases. On multiple occasions, she had four RBIs (runs batted in) in a game.
Cavenaugh, along with Mansfield, Jordyn Pelles and Alyssa Sheely, have led the team in runs for the past five of six games.
Defensively, Paige Parker has recorded double figures in putouts in three of the last six games. Addie Deal, Sarah Brown and Mansfield have also significantly contributed to that count in those games.
Earlier this season, Slippery Rock swept California in a doubleheader on March 28, winning 3-2 in game one and 11-1 in game two.
The Rock is looking to make a comeback with Seton Hill, as they lost two games to them in their previous meeting.
The first doubleheader against California is scheduled for Friday, April 24 at Kasnevich Field. First pitch is set for 2:00 pm. Saturday’s home doubleheader against Seton Hill is set to begin at 1 p.m.
