Coming off the first back-to-back 30-win seasons in program history and being defending United East Conference champions, the standard is high for the Penn College softball team entering the 2024-25 season.

“We look to have another successful year in the United East. Winning championships will always prove to be very difficult, but it will continually be our end goal. I expect to remain very competitive throughout conference play and be working toward returning to the NCAA tournament,” coach Angela Stackhouse said.

The Wildcats’ season opener is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday at first-time opponent Messiah University.

Penn College returns several veteran players who helped last year’s squad go 30-12 overall and 20-6 against conference competition (15-5 through the regular season). That group includes junior catcher Lexi Snyder of Hegins, sophomore outfielder Grace Lorson of Jersey Shore, senior outfielder Madison Herriman of Danville and senior pitcher Mackenzie Weaver of Montoursville.

Snyder, who hit .325 last season, was a UE Volt Division first-team honoree while Lorson, who hit .323, Herriman, who hit .403, and Weaver, who was 16-9 on the mound with a 1.86 ERA, has more than 400 career strikeouts and was last year’s playoff MVP, were named to the second team.

Herriman was also on two Division III All-Region teams, as was Lorson, who finished as a D-III National Freshman of the Year finalist.

“Practices have been going well and our large freshman class has been integrating into our systems with ease. This preseason has been challenging with the weather and not having those early opportunities to get outside. (Our) bullpen is going strong and our pitching staff is deeper than it has been in years past,” Stackhouse said.

Two other returning pitchers are sophomore Fayth Anderson of Lykens, who was 13-3 with a 2.44 ERA, and senior Hailey DeBrody of Cogan Station, who was 2-2 with a 1.85 ERA.

“I will always say that pitching will be the key to success in college softball,” said Stackhouse. “Having a well-rounded staff that will allow for more depth in the rotation this season will be a great thing. Getting our freshmen settled on the field and playing like experienced ball players will also be a focus. We will always be motivated to keep our best nine bats in the lineup to score as many runs as possible and give our pitchers breathing room as often as possible.

Stackhouse and her assistants Gary Clark and Madison Shaffer expect freshmen to contribute, including pitcher Mackenzi Tice of Mansfield, third baseman Ryleigh Rinker of Poway, California, catcher Payton Crawford of Bloomsburg and shortstop Harley Kunes of Mill Hall.

“Getting game experience and learning the speed of the collegiate game will be a must in our early season games,” Stackhouse said when discussing her young infield. “Platooning in Tice will be a key for later season success. Figuring out our best-hitting lineup to maximize runs scored will be a fun challenge as well. We will be younger on our infield this season, but we have a very talented freshman class. Our key returners will ensure that we have veteran experience in key positions.”

Fifteen teams will vie for the conference championship, including newcomer Penn State Brandywine, with 10 teams reaching the postseason. First-round single-elimination playoff games are set for April 30, with a best-of-three second-round series May 2-3, and final four double-elimination play starting on May 9 and concluding on May 11. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

“We expect to have another great year and continue to build our winning tradition,” said Stackhouse. “We are excited to start our nonconference schedule to give us plenty of opportunities to be set for United East Conference play by the end of March.”