Lady sluggers confident entering Virginia Tourney

By RYAN HOCKENSMITH
Collegian Staff Writer

Jodie Ricciardi has confidence -- a lot of it.

And not just in her own softball-playing ability.

The Penn State softball team's senior tri-captain doesn't care what the situation is.

"We just expect everyone to step up and play their best," Ricciardi said. "No matter what player it is.

"I believe enough in every one of them that they'll step up."

And since after starting the season 1-5, Ricciardi and her teammates have proven the confidence is well founded.

The Lady Lions have rebounded to post a 10-4 mark since their season-opening appearance at the Feb. 19-21 Aggie Invitational, putting their tally at 11-9 heading into today's first-round action at the Virginia Tournament.

Penn State players attributed those early losses to a variety of reasons.

Playing on an actual softball diamond for the first time, the Lions dropped contests to New Mexico and Texas A&M that weekend. The Aggies and Lobos carried a combined record of 21-2 into the tournament.

In addition, Penn State has a relatively young lineup as well as two new assistant coaches this season.

"We had a tough start," outfielder Gina Bianchini said. "But every team's going to have that.

"Right now, we're showing our true talent and winning games."

Bianchini knows about talent.

The true freshman's name has been penciled in the starting lineup for all 20 Lions games. Leading the team with a .481 average, 15 runs scored and 25 hits, she has shown she belongs there. Her performance at the Troy Cox Classic earned her a position in the All-Tournament team outfield.

The Pottstown native said despite her first season of NCAA Div. I competition, she can't afford to feel like a freshman.

"As a freshman, I don't think I can let it intimidate you," Bianchini said. "I'm playing with the best of the best. That makes me play my best."

Other leaders for Penn State include pitching aces Jaci Kalp (4-4, 2.93 ERA) and Tanis Ambelang (5-4, 3.02 ERA). Both pitchers started the season 0-2.

Heading to Virginia, Penn State is slated to face Akron and the host team today, then finish the road trip tomorrow against Rutgers and Marshall.

According to Ricciardi, neither she nor the team is familiar with this weekend's opposition. They don't care, either.

"We really consider them all the same," Ricciardi said. "We always look at them all the same.

"Even the weaker tournaments we know we're going to play in . . . we just don't care. We play the same."