The quest for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship begins this weekend for Shippensburg’s softball team with a doubleheader at Seton Hill University.
The Raiders look to follow up on a strong but short 2020 season in which they went 10-4 all while never playing a game at home. SU led through their dynamic offense that batted .351 as a team and led the league in doubles, triples and runs scored at the time of season’s end.
Of course with COVID-19 coronavirus concerns, the 2021 season will look a lot different from years past.
The PSAC is changing from a three-division format to a two-division format, with Shippensburg staying in the Eastern division along with East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Millersville, Shepherd, West Chester, Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities.
SU’s schedule will consist of eight weekend home and home series where one school will host a doubleheader on Friday with the other school hosting it on Saturday. The 32 games will span from March 5 through May 1.
The 2021 Raiders softball roster will consist of 16 returning players and nine true freshmen. Head coach Alison Van Scyoc will return for her fifth year as head coach, having led Ship to 86 wins during her tenure.
Van Scyoc and her offense have garnered respect around the league, Shippensburg was voted No. 4 in the PSAC Eastern Division Preseason Coaches ‘ Poll released on Feb. 12.
SU looks to get to the top of the Eastern Division but will have to get past West Chester, which has won a share of the PSAC East championship each of the past six seasons.
Shippensburg’s home opener will be March 5 taking on Bloomsburg.
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