From track to diamond, Gulini's tough to catch


Thursday, April 2, 1998	From track to diamond, Gulini's tough to catch By J.P. GRAMLICH Collegian Sports Writer Once a runner, always a runner. Case in point -- Karen Gulini.
`Penn State Softball Home Page`	Gulini, a sophomore who last year competed on the Penn State track team, pulled off a simple sports switcheroo by transferring to the Lady Lions' softball ranks this spring. A three-sport star who attended Easton Area High School, Gulini said she missed the thrills of the diamond since graduating two years ago.
Penn State's Karolyn Peterson whiffs at a pitch yesterday at Lady Lion Field. Penn State lost two close games to No. 2 Michigan, the nightcap defeat coming in extra innings. (Collegian Photo/Andrew A. Roach - click for full size image)	So she laced up the cleats and gave it another shot this season -- kissing track goodbye in the process. "I really wanted to play softball this year. I missed it so much," Gulini, an outfielder, said. "It's always been my favorite sport and I played it my whole life, so I really wanted to get back in it." Now that she's back in it, track is a memory. But her softball career has been revolving around the same medium -- running. Gulini is second on the Lady Lions in stolen bases with 13 and, in a surprise development, is leading the team in hitting with a .375 average. The secret of her offensive success? Beating out bunts and ground balls with her amazingly swift stride. "That's basically what I'm supposed to do," Gulini said after yesterday's home doubleheader with Michigan. "I'm supposed to use my speed and get on base and try to put myself in scoring position." Mission accomplished. In yesterday's opener, Gulini went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, one RBI and a game-high four stolen bases. One of her hits was a bunt single that the Wolverines couldn't seem to field -- at least not in time. "Karen is fast and I'll take anybody that's fast," Penn State coach Robin Petrini said. "She's still kind of learning a lot of things at the plate, but she's been getting a lot of bunt singles and she's making progress." Gulini's parents were in attendance against Michigan, and father Dan said his daughter is fun to watch. He said games against teams like the No. 2-ranked Wolverines are the kind his daughter looks forward to most. "The better the competition, the better she plays," Dan Gulini said. "She loves playing teams like Michigan, teams that are ranked nationally. She gets really pumped up for games like these." The younger Gulini, who bats at the bottom of the Lady Lions' order, said she's happy to be away from the limelight and the leadoff spot. "In high school I always batted leadoff, but I'm comfortable where I am," Gulini said. "People aren't ready for me when I'm batting eighth, so I think it's an advantage. They're back on their heels." Gulini, meanwhile, is off to the races.