**Courtesy of Penn State Fayette Fayette Athletics**
RECORDS: #10 Penn State Fayette (19-20) | #6 University of Maine Presque Isle (22-16)
LOCATION: Pony Field at Firestone Stadium – Akron, Ohio
The Penn State Fayette Lady Roaring Lions softball team close out the 2017 with a consolation victory, sealing its place as the 9th team in the nation. Fayette defeated #6 University of Maine- Presque Isle in a close 2-0 bout.
Led by Aubrey Yates and Monica Joseph, Joseph opened scoring with a 3rd inning single scoring Yates.
Fayette would add one more by the continued offensive prowess of Joseph in the 4th. Caitlyn Brown would tally the additional and final run of the game from a Joseph single.
Notable standout performances for Fayette include Aubree Yates hitting 4-for-4, tallying 1 run, and earning a stolen-base. Monica Joseph would hit 3-for-4, 2 RBI's, and earn a steal. Pitcher Tiffany Markovitch would cap off her impressive 112 strikeout season with a shutout win.
Although being eliminated in the first 2 rounds of the USCAA National Tournament, It was by no means a disappointing season for the young team. Defying what many across the conference would expect from a 1-win team in the 2016 season, Fayette turned heads finishing just behind Beaver in the PSUAC West and 9th overall in national rankings.
The season was highlighted with several PSUAC and USCAA individual award recipients.
PSUAC 2nd Team All-Conference awards were granted to Monica Joseph, Miranda Nichols (senior), and Tiffany Markovitch with Hannah Kline receiving Honorable Mention. Additionally, in his first season as Head Coach, John Miller received PSUAC Coach of the Year.
USCAA All-Academic recognition was granted to Monica Joseph, Caitlyn Brown, and Kelsey Rudzienski for their outstanding academic accomplishments. Additionally, Monica Joseph and Miranda Nichols (senior) were the recipients of USCAA All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Fayette will lose an invaluable and irreplaceable leader in Miranda Nichols. Nichols finished with a team high 26 RBI's - good for 6th in the PSUAC. Additionally, she was among team leaders in all offensive statistical categories. Nichols' defensive contributions behind the plate helped Fayette to an impressive 77 points allowed – good for 4thout of 11 PSUAC teams. Many would argue that Nichols' greatest contribution came from her active and optimistic vocal leadership in any given game situation. Miranda's character and athletic attributes will be sorely missed in the year(s) to come.
The Fayette Department of Athletics and campus community wish her well in future endeavors.