Lady sluggers hope to take 'Zip' out of Akron with Hanna pitching game 1 of doubleheader

By JONATHAN BOMBULIE
Collegian Sports Writer

When Akron's team bus rolls into Lady Lion Field for the softball team's home opener at 3 p.m. today, its luggage compartment will be stuffed -- the Zips have been packing some pretty big bats this season.

All nine of Akron's starters are currently hitting over .300, and the overall team batting average is a healthy .359. Coupled with a team ERA of 1.13, Akron is off to a fast start, compiling a 14-2 record, 10-0 at home.

"They've been hitting the ball a ton," Lady Lion Coach Sue Rankin said. "They're a good team, there's no doubt about that. We have to go into it like it's a Big Ten game. It is a regional game and that's important to us."

Penn State's pitching staff will be faced with the unenviable task of slowing down the offensive attack of the Zips in this afternoon's doubleheader. The staff features junior Heidi Hanna, who is 3-0 and leads the team in strikeouts. Hanna is coming off a dazzling 1-0 blanking of powerful Indiana last weekend.

"Any time you throw a four hitter against Indiana, you're doing a good job," Assistant Coach Laura Fillipp said. "She's starting to refine her pitches, and that gives her a tremendous boost with the speed she has."

Hanna was forced to take a medical redshirt last season, but in six early season appearances she led the team with a 2.19 ERA. Two seasons ago, she was in the top 10 in that category in the Big Ten.

"She's throwing better now than she was then," Fillipp said. "She really has responded very well. She wants to be out there in big games."

Despite Hanna's early season success, Rankin declined to annoint her No. 1 starter.

"We don't have an ace," Rankin said. "It depends on the day they're having. Right now, we have four pitchers."

Hanna will start game one against Akron, while junior Gypsy Gooding will get the nod in the nightcap. The Lady Lions will also have freshmen Jennifer Hippo and Anje Schwab on call in the bullpen.