Softball: Bison Tabbed Third in PAC Preseason Poll

PAC Contributed to this Release 

Greenville, Pa. – Bethany College softball was picked to finish third in this season's PAC Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll, along with its Players to Watch list, released on Wednesday afternoon by the league office.

Geneva College was picked as the preseason favorite to repeat as league champions, collecting eight-first votes and 89 points on the coaches' poll.

Westminster College finished second in this year's poll, earning one first-place vote and 82 points.

The Bison claimed the final first-place vote with 73 points to finish third. The Green and White own a PAC-best 13 conference titles. Its last coming in 2011.

Bethany is led by fourth-year head coach Cassie Moore and returns eight from last year's PAC Championship appearance team. The Bison finished the 2021 season 21-17 (11-5 PAC) marking the first 20 win season since the 2015-16 season.

Grove City College was picked fourth (59) and was followed by Washington & Jefferson College in fifth (57), Saint Vincent College in sixth (54), Waynesburg University in seventh (43), Chatham University in eighth (37), Thiel College in ninth (24) and Franciscan University in 10th (22).

Key returners returning this year for the Bison are seniors Jennifer Oberthur and Paige Allen, junior Morgan Huey, and sophomore Josie Wise.  Junior transfer, Destiny Goodnight rounds out Bethany's PAC players to watch.

Dynamic duo Oberthur and Wise return as the Bison's one, two punch on the mound and behind the plate.

"Jen and Josie are a great combination for our team. Both are very good ball players in their own right, but together, they make each other even greater, and they make a very strong battery" said Moore.

Oberthur led the Bison with a .406 batting average with 52 hits, 27 runs and 24 runs batted in. She registered 18 doubles and five triples with a slugging percentage of .648. Her 18 doubles tied the Single-Season record at Bethany College.

"For Jen, she just wants to go out on top. She's a competitor, and I think we saw that in PAC playoffs last year, starting with the very first at-bat, hitting her first of 5 doubles in tournament play as our leadoff hitter. Since this is her final year, she just wants to leave it all out on the field, and she's ready to lead her teammates to the top" added Moore.

The battery were named All-PAC First Team last season for their performance and leadership for the Bison.

"Jen has been a leader and starting catcher for us since her freshman year, so when Josie joined us last year, our team was ready to let this fearless freshman pitcher take on such a large leadership role….she doesn't let much rattle her, and she sets a great example for this freshmen class" said Moore.

Wise finished the season with 169.1 innings pitched, 15 wins and one save. She fanned 116 batters and had an ERA of 2.27. Her innings pitched led the PAC and she finished second in the PAC in strikeouts.

Allen finished the season batting .309, with 30 hits, 25 runs scored, 20 runs batted in, and four homeruns. In tournament play, she drove in three runs.

"Paige is one of the hardest workers on the team and has a true talent that has been carved since her freshman year. She just gets better and better every year. This being her senior year, she has many tools in her tool belt to help us win ball games" added Moore.

The Bison look to return to the PAC Championship with a core of returners and the addition to Goodnight and a group of freshman.

"It hurt losing in the PAC Championship last year, but our team has done a great job of turning that pain into progress; preseason so far has been great! The kids are hungry for a second chance at a ring, and we see that drive every day at practice" expressed Moore.

Bethany opens the 2022 season on Monday, March 7 in Clermont, Florida against Saint Mary's College of Indiana at 1:45 pm.