Parshall, Vatakis might face one another today
Belle Vernon downed Monessen last May in a pitcher鈥檚 duel that drew the biggest softball crowd in Monessen program history.
The reason for the large gathering was the match-up between a pair of senior stud pitchers who had long been committed to their respective universities.
Belle Vernon鈥檚 Bailey Parshall gave her pledge to Penn State before she ever threw a pitch in high school, while Monessen鈥檚 Dana Vatakis commiitted to Robert Morris after her freshmen season.
The duo, who live 3.6 miles apart from each other, had never faced each other until that May 9 game and combined to strike out 30 batters in the contest with the Lady Leopards pulling out a 2-0 win on a pair of unearned runs.
Vatakis and Parshall may face off again later today as Robert Morris makes the 153-mile ride to State College to face the Lady Lions in a doubleheader.
鈥淚鈥檓 really looking forward to our home opener against Robert Morris and it would be exciting to face Dana at this level,鈥� said Parshall Sunday from the airport after Penn State went 10-2 on its spring break trip and now sits at 13-12 on the season. 鈥淥ur team has been so busy that I haven鈥檛 been able to pay a lot of attention to how other players are doing, but I hope Dana is doing well.
鈥淧ersonally, I hope to continue to pound the zone and improve each day.鈥�
Vatakis and the young Lady Colonials are starting up to five freshmen a game and are struggling at 3-15 overall.
鈥淚 have been getting a lot of time on the mound and doing my best to help the team,鈥� Vatakis said on Monday. 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 really kept tabs (on others) because I have been very busy and focused on what we are trying to do.
鈥淏ut I do see posts from PSU and am excited for Bailey.鈥�
Vatakis is 2-5, has a 5.04 ERA, has 16 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched this season and has started seven of the nine games that she has appeared in.
Parshall is 5-7, has a 2.20 ERA, has recorded 103 of Penn State鈥檚 160 strikeouts, while making 11 starts in her 20 appearances.
Parshall was named a Penn State Student-Athlete of the Week this week, along with swimmer Michael Daly.
Parshall posted a 1.47 ERA in five games last week and struck out 21 batters at the Madeira Beach Invitational.
Whether the local duo pitch against each other today won鈥檛 be known until the lineup cards are exchanged, but it is a safe bet that both will be ready to go knowing that they may get to face each other once again.
Cal U women ready for tournament
The Cal U women鈥檚 basketball team learned Sunday night they had earned the fourth seed in the Atlantic Regional in this week鈥檚 NCAA Division II tournament.
The Vulcans (24-5) face the regional鈥檚 fifth-ranked team, Charleston (W.Va.) (25-6). Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Glenville, W.Va.
Slagus and the Bucknell record book
Kaitlyn Slagus is at it again.
The Bucknell senior recently added to her impressive career by becoming the program鈥檚 all-time rebounding leader, and she isn鈥檛 stopping there.
Slagus was named First Team All-Patriot League last Friday, after she helped the Bison win the conference鈥檚 regular season title and her class to become the winningest in conference history after winning 100 games.
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