Softball 5/7/2022 12:00:00 AM

Abington Opens United East Championships Against Host Penn College

Abington, Pa. – The fourth-seeded Penn State Abington softball team will face top-seed and host Penn College on Sunday, May 6 to jump start the United East Conference (UEC) Tournament. Game time is set for 10 a.m. at Elm Park. Due to expected inclement weather, the conference made changes to this year's championship. Originally scheduled for Friday, games will now be played on Sunday and the tournament will feature a single elimination format.

The winner of the Abington/Penn College game will face the winner of the No. 2 Penn State Harrisburg/No. 3 Penn State Berks match up (12 p.m.) in the United East Championship game (2 p.m.). All three games will take place on Sunday.

How to Watch
Fans that can't make it out to Elm Park can catch all the action live with a free web stream and live stats courtesy of Penn College. To access the live coverage click, here.

About Penn State Abington (24-14, 19-9 UEC)
The Nittany Lions finished the regular season with a 24-14 overall record and a 19-9 mark in conference play. The team's 24 victories mark the most in the program's Division III era. Abington also finished United East action with its best winning percentage (.679) since finishing conference play 15-5 (.750) during the 2014 season.

Freshman Drew Liss, a 2022 All-UEC first team selection, leads the team in hitting with a .429 average which is 10^th best in the conference through the regular season. Liss has totaled 42 hits to go along with eight doubles, four triples, 30 runs and 25 RBI. Senior Mary Kate Smith is hitting a career-high .417 this year and received All-UEC honors for the second straight season with second team recognition. Freshman Gretchen Yanss also garnered All-UEC second team honors. Yanss has totaled six wins in the pitching circle for the Nittany Lions this year and offensively is hitting .328.

Freshman Hailey Gamble was named the United East Player of the Week for the week ending May 1 as she wrapped up the regular season swinging a hot bat collecting 11 hits to go along with 11 runs and 13 RBI in the final eight games. Her batting average increased from .310 to .340 during that span. Gamble leads the team in doubles (9), triples (4) and home runs (2).

About Penn College (27-8, 23-3 UEC)
The reigning United East (formerly the NEAC) champions earned the top-seed and regular season championship after finishing conference play with a 23-3 record. The Wildcats had five players earn All-UEC honors, including senior pitcher Kyla Benner who was named the United East Pitcher of the Year. Benner finished the season 13-5 with an earned run average of 1.88. Senior Olivia Hemstock and freshman MacKenzie Weaver joined Benner on the All-UEC first team. Juniors Ivvy Morder and Maddie Hurst were named All-UEC second team selections.

Abington in the Postseason
The Nittany Lions are making their ninth appearance in the United East Tournament. The team has qualified for the postseason every year since 2013 with the exception of the 2020 season when the tournament was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Nittany Lions are 10-14 in their eight previous appearances, including advancing to the 2015 championship game.

All-Time Series vs. Penn College
Abington is 2-10 all-time versus Penn College. The Nittany Lions recently snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Wildcats with a 6-3 victory in game one of a doubleheader back on April 29. The two teams have faced one another four times in the postseason.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Mary Kate Smith: UTL; 5' 7"; Senior; L/R

#8 Drew Liss: OF/C; 5' 2"; Freshman; R/R

#13 Gretchen Yanss: P; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

#18 Hailey Gamble: OF; 5' 5"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#11 Mary Kate Smith
: 5' 7"; Senior; L/R
: UTL

#8 Drew Liss
: 5' 2"; Freshman; R/R
: OF/C

#13 Gretchen Yanss
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: P

#18 Hailey Gamble
: 5' 5"; Freshman; R/R
: OF