Reading, Pa. (May 10, 2009) –
Record: 15-20 overall, 4-12 Freedom Conference
Head Coach: Craig Wojszwillo, 12th season, 202-199 career record
Assistant Coaches: Bob McSurdy (6th season), Izzy Trottier (1st season), Lindsay Trottier (4th season)
Postseason: none
Awards: Janelle Lynch (Macungie, Pa./Brandywine) All-Freedom Second Team
The Crusader Softball team started their season with a Spring Training trip to the Snowbird Softball Tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC. They began their trip with two wins on the first day of play before dropping their next two. They would wrap up the week with an impressive 5-3 start to their season. Upon their return they swept Wesley College before dropping their next four straight. The remainder of the season was an up-and-down affair highlighted by a doubleheader sweep of Albright College. They managed to split their last two conference doubleheader to finish at 4-12 in their first season in the freedom conference.
Alvernia was led on the mound by sophomore
Michelle Jensen (Holland, NJ/Delaware Valley) who led the Freedom Conference with a1.95 ERA. Despite her low ERA she posted just a 10-13 record as Alvernia trailed most of the conference in hitting and fielding percentage. Jensen threw 165 out of a possible 226 inning while tallying 108 strikeouts.
The Crusaders were led at the plate by All-Freedom Second Teamer Lynch who posted a .389 batting average, while leading the conference with 26 stolen bases. Lynch batted leadoff for most of the season and led the team with 42 hits, with one double and one triple. Senior
Lauren Crimi (Nazareth, Pa./Notre Dame) was also impressive at the plate with a .346 average and a team-leading nine triples. Sophomore
Rhiannon Sorrentino (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) followed up her Rookie of the Year season in 2008 with another strong season batting .321 with seven doubles, four triples and led the team with 19 RBIs.
With the Crusaders losing just Crimi for the 2010 season Alvernia will return with another year of experience and hopes of reaching the Commonwealth Conference Playoffs.