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Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
1996 Softball
PSAC All-Star Diana Holder
PSAC All-Star Heather Clark
A member of the State System of Higher Education
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
History
❖ Founded in 1857 as a private acade
my
❖ Previously named
Edinboro
Academy, Edinboro Normal School,
Edinboro State Teachers College,
and Edinboro State College
❖ The second normal school estab
lished in Pennsylvania and the 12th
in the U.S.
❖ Became Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania on July 1, 1983 with
the formation of the Pennsylvania
State System of Higher Education
Location
❖ Located in the resort town of
Edinboro, Pennsylvania
❖ Just 15 miles south of Erie and 100
miles from Pittsburgh, Cleveland,
and Buffalo
❖ Easily accessible from interstates 90
and 79
❖
❖
Special Programs
❖ The nation's third largest education
al program for the physically dis
abled including services for the
hearing impaired, the visually
impaired, and the learning disabled
❖ International education program for
the exchange of faculty and stu
dents
❖ Honors program for academically
gifted students
❖ ^temships and field experiences
which integrate academic pursuits
with on-site "real world" work situ
ations and personal relationships
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
Athletics
❖
❖ Men's baseball, basketball, cross
coimtry, football, golf, swimming,
tennis, track, and wrestling
❖ Women's basketball, cross country,
softball, swimming, tennis, track,
and volleyball
❖ The Fighting Scots compete in the
Pennsylvania Conference and the
National
Collegiate Athletic
Association, Division I and II
❖
❖
Facilities
Forty-two buildings on a 585-acre
wooded campus with a five-acre
lake
Day and evening classes at the 27acre Porreco Extension Center in
nearby Erie, Pa.
Seven-story library with more than
430,000 bound volumes, 1,200,000
microform units, on-line public
access catalog, on-line and CDROM searching systems, public
access catalog for the visually
impaired, and interlibrary loan ser
vice
Eight on-campus residence halls
Planetarium, modem science labs,
solar observatory, robotics labora
tory, TV studio, radio station, and
center for the performing arts
Reading clinic, speech and hearing
clinic, math clinic, parent-child
development center, and computer
lab for children
Five powerful mini-computers, 725
personal computers, 300 terminals,
and 13 computer labs with current
hardware and software
Recreational facilities, life skills
center, and nurse's station for stu
dents with disabilities
Campus is nearly 100% wheelchair
accessible
University Center with an indoor
running track, saunas and
whirlpools, weight room, racquetball and handball courts, full-ser
vice bookstore and dining areas,
and an aerobics room
Head Coach Dan Gierlak -......
=
After a one-year hiatus, Dan Gierlak
returns as the head coach of the Edin
boro University of Pennsylvania softball
team. Gierlak enters his seventh season
as Edinboro's head softball coach, and
he also has been an assistant football
coach at the 'Boro for the past nine sea
sons.
Gierlak has enjoyed success as Edinboro's softball coach. He guided the
'Boro to the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference playoffs in 1990 and led the
Scots to a 21-10 overall record in 1994.
Gierlak did not coach the 'Boro women last season, as he concentrated
solely on his duties as an assistant on Tom Hollman's football staff.
Gierlak came to Edinboro from Thiel College, where he coached
defensive backs in 1984. He then moved on to semi-pro football, direct
ing the Chicago Cowboys to a national title in 1984 and a second-place
national finish in 1985.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Gierlak graduated from Edinboro
with a degree in health and physical education. He was a three-year letterman for the Scots as a defensive back.
Gierlak and his wife, the former Amy Adams, reside in Edinboro
with their two children, Daniel, Jr. Qoey) and Alexandria Alicia.
Student Assistant
Bob Holmes
Bob Holmes enters his second season as a student assistant. Holmes
is pursuing a degree in health and physical education and a minor in
coaching. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania's Kennard-Dale High School,
where he played baseball and football.
1
Edinboro Optimistic About 1996 Season
With the return of several key vet
erans and the addition of some
promising newcomers, the Edinboro
University of Pennsylvania softball
team is optimistic about the 1996 sea
son.
And Edinboro's high hopes were
only strengthened by the team's 9-5
showing on its spring trip to Fort
Myers, Florida. The Fighting Scots
played well in the Sunshine State,
defeating NCAA Division I schools
such as Seton Hall University (New
Jersey) and Villanova University. With
the nine wins, the 'Boro nearly
equaled its victory total in 1995, when
it posted a 10-38 mark.
Edinboro head coach Dan Gierlak
feels Weber is one of the top defensive
shortstops in the PSAC. A junior,
Weber hit .200 last season and was
fourth on the team with 21 runs
scored.
The Scots' top outfielders are
junior Heather Clark and sophomores
Amy Burlingame and Andria Musser.
Clark anchors the outfield in center,
with Musser in left and Burlingame in
right. Burlingame may see some
action behind the plate.
Clark put up some big numbers
in 1995. One of the PSAC's top hitters,
she batted .423 last season, with 10
doubles, 10 triples, five home runs
and 34 runs batted in. Clark, who also
can catch and play first base, led the
Scots in nearly every offensive catego
ry last season. Burlingame and Muss
er should be much improved players
after a year of collegiate experience.
The strength of the 1996 Scots lies
in their infield, where veterans Diana
Holder, Jen Mitchell, Kristin Neuburger and Michelle Weber return to
anchor the 'Boro's defense.
Holder,
a
senior
third
baseman/first baseman, hit .319 last
season, earning Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference all-star status. She
had 10 doubles, two home runs and 16
runs batted in, as well as a .937 field
ing percentage.
Freshman Leigh McMahon is
expected to handle most of the catch
ing duties for Edinboro. McMahon
was a French Creek Valley Conference
all-star at nearby Cambridge Springs
High School, where she hit over .400
her senior season. She has a strong
arm and capable bat.
Mitchell, a senior first baseman
who also can play the outfield, hit .246
last season. She was Edinboro's thirdbest run producer last season with 14
runs batted in and ranked fourth on
the team with six doubles.
Sophomores Meghan Kutz and
Cheri Snyder are Edinboro's top pitch
ers. Kutz, who did not play last season
while attending Penn State University,
was a four-time FCVC all-star at Cam
bridge Springs. Snyder pitched in 22
games for Edinboro last season lead
ing the team with a 2.94 earned run
average.
Senior second baseman Neuburger, a medical redshirt last season with
a hand injury, looks to return to her
form of 1994 when she received PSAC
all-star recognition for hitting .444.
Neuburger had six doubles, six
triples, three home runs and 29 runs
batted in that season.
2
= Player Profiles
...
DIANA HOLDER #21
Senior, Third Base
Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf High School
Was named to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Confer
ence all-star team the past two seasons.
Led 1995 Scots in runs scored (27), tied for team lead in
doubles (10) and ranked second on the squad in batting
average (.319), home runs (2) and runs batted in (16).
Had a .937 fielding percentage last season and can play
third base, first base and second base.
Coach Gierlak on Diana Holder: "Diana works hard and does everything you ask of
her. She is very versatile and is a great leader by example."
JEN MITCHELL #6
Senior, First Base/Outfield
Greensburg, PA/Hempfield Area High School
❖ Was Edinboro's third-best run producer last season with
14 runs batted in.
❖ Hit .246 last season and was fourth on the team with six
doubles.
Coach Gierlak on Jen Mitchell: "Jen has come a long way. Her bat is coming around
and she has become more consistent. She also is a very good defensive player at
first base."
KRISTIN NEUBURGER #24
Senior, Second Base
Fairview, PA/General McLane High School
❖ Was redshirted last season with a hand injury and looks
to return to her form of 1994, when she was named a
PSAC all-star.
❖ Hit .444 in 1994, with six doubles, six triples, three home
runs and 29 runs batted in.
❖ Solid all-around player who also serves as a team leader.
Coach Gierlak on Kristin Neuburger: "Neubie really was missed last year. She has a
good glove and is one of the best hitters I've seen. She's a gamer."
3
= Player Profiles ——
.............r
== Player Profiles =========
HEATHER CLARK #41
Junior, Outfield/First Base
Elgin, PA/Cony Area High School
AMY BURLINGAME #1
Sophomore, Outfield/Catcher
Franklinville, NY/Franklinville Central High School
❖ Was a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference all-star
the past two seasons.
❖ Led Edinboro in nearly every offensive category last sea
son.
❖ Hit .423 last season, with 10 doubles, 10 triples, five
home runs and 34 runs batted in.
❖
❖
❖
Expected to receive most of her playing time in the out
field this season, but also can play behind the plate.
Played in 22 games last season.
In high school, earned four letters each in basketball,
soccer and softball.
"Amy is a heady ballplayer. She also has come
a long way with her bat since last season."
Coach Gierlak on Amy Burlingame:
Coach Gierlak on Heather Clark: "Heather is
a true cleanup hitter, one of the best hit
ters I've seen. She crunches the ball every time she hits it."
MEGHAN KUTZ #22
Sophomore, Pitcher
Cambridge Springs, PA/Cambridge Springs High School
MICHELLE WEBER #20
Junior, Shortstop
Springboro, PA/Conneaut Valley High School
❖
❖ Considered by Coach Gierlak to be one of the top defen
sive shortstops in the PSAC.
❖ Last season, led Scots in sacrifices (9) and was second in
walks (14) and fourth in runs scored (21).
<* Hit .200 last season, collecting 21 hits in 105 at-bats.
Coach Gierlak on Michelle Weber: "Michelle is one of the premier shortstops in the
conference. She's a heady player who is exceptional with the glove. She also has
come a long way with the bat."
AMY ATWOOD #8
Sophomore, Outfield
Sheffield, PA/Sheffield High School
Is a first-year player for the Scots.
Was a three-sport standout at Sheffield High School,
earning three letters in basketball and two letters each in
softball and volleyball.
Provides depth to Edinboro's young outfield.
Coach Gierlak on Amy Atwood: "Amy is coming along well. She has quick hands
and a good eye at the plate, as well as a good sense of the game. She just needs
game experience."
❖
»>
Is a first-year Scot who did not play last season while
attending Penn State University.
Was a four-time French Creek Valley Conference all-star
at nearby Cambridge Springs High School.
Posted a 3.91 grade point average in her first semester at
Edinboro, studying secondary education (biology and
English).
Coach Gierlak on Meghan Kutz: "Meghan has the potential to be as good as any
pitcher at Edinboro. She's smart, she throws hard and she has a lot of pitches. She
also has a good work ethic."
1
J
i
^
M
KELLY MANKOWSKI #14
Sophomore, Pitcher
North East, PA/North East High School
Is a first-year player for the Scots who transferred from
Mercyhurst College in Erie.
Also a member of the Edinboro women's basketball
team.
While at North East High School, earned eight letters in
basketball, soccer, softball and track.
"Kelly is going to pitch for us. It's been a couple
years since she's thrown, but she's a good athlete."
Coach Gierlak on Kelly Mankowski:
5
= Player Profiles
..............'
= Player Profiles =====
ANDRIAMUSSER #11
Sophomore, Outfield
Denver, PA/Cocalico High School
Received limited playing time last season, but could be
a starter in the Scots' outfield this season.
Member of the Dean's List, studying elementary and
special education.
In high school, first-team all-conference selection in softball; earned three letters in softball and two letters each
in basketball and field hockey.
MELISSA WILSMAN #18
Sophomore, Third Base/Catcher
Williamsville, NYAVilliamsville South High School
Is a first-year player for the 'Boro.
In high school, earned four letters in soccer and three in
softball; was an all-conference selection in softball.
Helped lead Williamsville South High School to divi
sional and sectional titles.
"Melissa is a catcher who is now playing the
infield. She has a good eye and can hit the ball well. Defensively, it's just going to
Coach Gierlak on Melissa Wilsman:
Coach Gierlak on Andria Musser: "Andria's a solid left fielder. She's a good defen
sive player and is coming along with the bat."
BECKY POWIERZA #25
Sophomore, Outfield/First Base
Erie, PA/Strong Vincent High School
Is a first-year player for the Scots.
While attending nearby Strong Vincent High School,
earned four letters each in basketball, softball and vol
leyball.
Metro League all-star in high school; also was a member
of the National Honor Society.
"Becky is one of the hardest workers I've seen,
and she has the ability to hit the longball."
Coach Gierlak on Becky Powierza:
KERI CRISCIONE #7
Freshman, Middle Infield/Outfield
Fredonia, NY/Fredonia High School
❖
Versatile athlete who can play second base, shortstop
and the outfield; could see some action on the mound as
well.
❖ In high school, earned eight letters in diving and softball.
❖ Was selected as Fredonia High School's outstanding
female athlete her senior year; also received honorable
mention western New York status in softball.
"I'm real pleased with Keri. She is very versatile
and has the potential to be a heck of a player. She plays very intense and is going
to play a lot of positions for us."
Coach Gierlak on Keri Criscione:
CHERI SNYDER #5
Sophomore, Pitcher
Meadville, PA/Meadville Area High School
Pitched in 22 games for Edinboro last season, posting a
team leading 2.94 earned run average.
While in high school, earned four letters in softball,
three letters in soccer and two letters in basketball.
Honor student in high school who is majoring in sec
ondary education (social studies).
"Cheri has come a long way. With our strong infield,
she can be very effective if she keeps the ball down. She's very smart and she
keeps people off balance with her pitches."
BRANDI LAURIA #9
Freshman, Second Base/Outfield
Oakdale, PA/West Allegheny High School
❖
Was a three-sport standout at West Allegheny High
School, earning 12 letters in basketball, softball and vol
leyball.
❖ In high school, hit .491 as a sophomore, .502 as a junior
and .581 as a senior.
❖ Honor student in high school who is studying criminal
justice.
Coach Gierlak on Cheri Snyder:
6
Coach Gierlak on Brandi Lauria: "Brandi played the infield in high school, but she
was behind Neubie (Kristin Neuburger) at second, so we moved her to the out
field. She's a good hitter."
7
1996 Softball Roster
Player Profiles
JENNIFER McClain #13
Freshman, Outfield/Pitcher
North Versailles, PA/East Allegheny High School
❖
Was a standout at East Allegheny where she earned all
section honors.
❖ Solid left-handed hitter who will compete for playing
time in Edinboro's outfield.
Coach Gierlak on Jennifer McClain: "Jennifer has a good swing, and she can help us
with her bat. Defensively, she gets a great jump on the ball. She's a very smart
ballplayer."
No. Name
1
Amy Burlingame
5
Pos.
Year Hometown/High School
OF/C
So.
Franklinville, NY/Franklinville Central
Cheri Snyder
P
So.
Meadville, PA/Meadville Area
6
Jen Mitchell
IB/OF
Sr.
Greensburg, PA/Hempfield Area
7
Keri Criscione
IF/OF
Fr.
Fredonia, NY/Fredonia
8
Amy Atwood
OF
So.
Sheffield, PA/Sheffield
9
Brandi Lauria
2B/OF
Fr.
Oakdale, PA/West Allegheny
11
Andria Musser
OF
So.
Denver, PA/Cocalico
13
Jennifer McClain
OF/P
Fr.
North Versailles, PA/East Allegheny
LEIGH McMAHON #19
Freshman, Catcher
Cambridge Springs, PA/Cambridge Springs High School
14
Kelly Mankowski
P
So.
North East, PA/North East
18
Melissa Wilsman
3B/C
So.
Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South
❖
19
Leigh McMahon
C
Fr.
Cambridge Springs, PA/Camb. Spgs.
20
Michelle Weber
ss
Jr.
Springboro, PA/Conneaut Valley
21
Diana Holder
3B
Sr.
Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf
22
Meghan Kutz
P
So.
Cambridge Springs, PA/Camb. Spgs.
24
Kristin Neuburger
2B
Sr.
Fairview, PA/General McLane
25
Becky Powierza
OF/IB
So.
Erie, PA/Strong Vincent
41
Heather Clark
OF/IB
Jr.
Elgin, PA/Corry Area
Could handle most of the catching duties for Edinboro
as a freshman.
❖ Was a French Creek Valley Conference all-star at nearby
Cambridge Springs where she caught for Edinboro
teammate Meghan Kutz; hit over .400 her senior year.
❖ Earned nine letters in basketball, softball and volleyball.
Coach Gierlak on Leigh McMahon: "Leigh has the strongest arm of any catcher I've
had, so I don't see people stealing a lot of bases against us. She also has a good
bat."
Kristin Neuburger, Senior, Second Base
8
1996 Softball Schedule
March 7
# Keene State College (NH)
9:00 a.m.
March 7
# St. Anselm College (NH)
11:00 a.m.
March 8
# Monmouth University (NJ)
2:00 p.m.
March 8
# Grand Valley State University (MI)
4:00 p.m.
March 9
# Villanova University
11:00 a.m.
March 11
# Villanova University
2:00 p.m.
March 11
# University of North Dakota
6:00 p.m.
March 12
# Seton Hall University (NJ)
11:00 a.m.
March 12
# University of North Dakota
2:00 p.m.
March 13
# University of New Haven (CT)
11:00 a.m.
March 13
# Tennessee Tech University
2:00 p.m.
March 15
# College of Holy Cross (MA)
11:00 a.m.
March 15
# Seton Hall University (NJ)
2:00 p.m.
March 16
# LeMoyne College (NY)
9:00 a.m.
March 16
# West Chester University of Pa.
11:00 a.m.
March 27
at Allegheny College
DH
3:30 p.m.
April 3
• CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 6
• SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 9
* at Lock Haven University of Pa.
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 13
* at Indiana University of Pa.
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 14
• CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 17
• at California University of Pa.
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 20
* at Clarion University of Pa.
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 23
* at Slippery Rock University of Pa.
DH
3:00 p.m.
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 24
GANNON UNIVERSITY
April 25
* LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 27
• INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 30
at Ashland University (OH)
DH
3:30 p.m.
May 1
at Mercyhurst College
DH
3:00 p.m.
#Denotes games played in Fort Myers, FL
•Denotes Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division games
1996 Softball
PSAC All-Star Diana Holder
PSAC All-Star Heather Clark
A member of the State System of Higher Education
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
History
❖ Founded in 1857 as a private acade
my
❖ Previously named
Edinboro
Academy, Edinboro Normal School,
Edinboro State Teachers College,
and Edinboro State College
❖ The second normal school estab
lished in Pennsylvania and the 12th
in the U.S.
❖ Became Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania on July 1, 1983 with
the formation of the Pennsylvania
State System of Higher Education
Location
❖ Located in the resort town of
Edinboro, Pennsylvania
❖ Just 15 miles south of Erie and 100
miles from Pittsburgh, Cleveland,
and Buffalo
❖ Easily accessible from interstates 90
and 79
❖
❖
Special Programs
❖ The nation's third largest education
al program for the physically dis
abled including services for the
hearing impaired, the visually
impaired, and the learning disabled
❖ International education program for
the exchange of faculty and stu
dents
❖ Honors program for academically
gifted students
❖ ^temships and field experiences
which integrate academic pursuits
with on-site "real world" work situ
ations and personal relationships
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
Athletics
❖
❖ Men's baseball, basketball, cross
coimtry, football, golf, swimming,
tennis, track, and wrestling
❖ Women's basketball, cross country,
softball, swimming, tennis, track,
and volleyball
❖ The Fighting Scots compete in the
Pennsylvania Conference and the
National
Collegiate Athletic
Association, Division I and II
❖
❖
Facilities
Forty-two buildings on a 585-acre
wooded campus with a five-acre
lake
Day and evening classes at the 27acre Porreco Extension Center in
nearby Erie, Pa.
Seven-story library with more than
430,000 bound volumes, 1,200,000
microform units, on-line public
access catalog, on-line and CDROM searching systems, public
access catalog for the visually
impaired, and interlibrary loan ser
vice
Eight on-campus residence halls
Planetarium, modem science labs,
solar observatory, robotics labora
tory, TV studio, radio station, and
center for the performing arts
Reading clinic, speech and hearing
clinic, math clinic, parent-child
development center, and computer
lab for children
Five powerful mini-computers, 725
personal computers, 300 terminals,
and 13 computer labs with current
hardware and software
Recreational facilities, life skills
center, and nurse's station for stu
dents with disabilities
Campus is nearly 100% wheelchair
accessible
University Center with an indoor
running track, saunas and
whirlpools, weight room, racquetball and handball courts, full-ser
vice bookstore and dining areas,
and an aerobics room
Head Coach Dan Gierlak -......
=
After a one-year hiatus, Dan Gierlak
returns as the head coach of the Edin
boro University of Pennsylvania softball
team. Gierlak enters his seventh season
as Edinboro's head softball coach, and
he also has been an assistant football
coach at the 'Boro for the past nine sea
sons.
Gierlak has enjoyed success as Edinboro's softball coach. He guided the
'Boro to the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference playoffs in 1990 and led the
Scots to a 21-10 overall record in 1994.
Gierlak did not coach the 'Boro women last season, as he concentrated
solely on his duties as an assistant on Tom Hollman's football staff.
Gierlak came to Edinboro from Thiel College, where he coached
defensive backs in 1984. He then moved on to semi-pro football, direct
ing the Chicago Cowboys to a national title in 1984 and a second-place
national finish in 1985.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Gierlak graduated from Edinboro
with a degree in health and physical education. He was a three-year letterman for the Scots as a defensive back.
Gierlak and his wife, the former Amy Adams, reside in Edinboro
with their two children, Daniel, Jr. Qoey) and Alexandria Alicia.
Student Assistant
Bob Holmes
Bob Holmes enters his second season as a student assistant. Holmes
is pursuing a degree in health and physical education and a minor in
coaching. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania's Kennard-Dale High School,
where he played baseball and football.
1
Edinboro Optimistic About 1996 Season
With the return of several key vet
erans and the addition of some
promising newcomers, the Edinboro
University of Pennsylvania softball
team is optimistic about the 1996 sea
son.
And Edinboro's high hopes were
only strengthened by the team's 9-5
showing on its spring trip to Fort
Myers, Florida. The Fighting Scots
played well in the Sunshine State,
defeating NCAA Division I schools
such as Seton Hall University (New
Jersey) and Villanova University. With
the nine wins, the 'Boro nearly
equaled its victory total in 1995, when
it posted a 10-38 mark.
Edinboro head coach Dan Gierlak
feels Weber is one of the top defensive
shortstops in the PSAC. A junior,
Weber hit .200 last season and was
fourth on the team with 21 runs
scored.
The Scots' top outfielders are
junior Heather Clark and sophomores
Amy Burlingame and Andria Musser.
Clark anchors the outfield in center,
with Musser in left and Burlingame in
right. Burlingame may see some
action behind the plate.
Clark put up some big numbers
in 1995. One of the PSAC's top hitters,
she batted .423 last season, with 10
doubles, 10 triples, five home runs
and 34 runs batted in. Clark, who also
can catch and play first base, led the
Scots in nearly every offensive catego
ry last season. Burlingame and Muss
er should be much improved players
after a year of collegiate experience.
The strength of the 1996 Scots lies
in their infield, where veterans Diana
Holder, Jen Mitchell, Kristin Neuburger and Michelle Weber return to
anchor the 'Boro's defense.
Holder,
a
senior
third
baseman/first baseman, hit .319 last
season, earning Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference all-star status. She
had 10 doubles, two home runs and 16
runs batted in, as well as a .937 field
ing percentage.
Freshman Leigh McMahon is
expected to handle most of the catch
ing duties for Edinboro. McMahon
was a French Creek Valley Conference
all-star at nearby Cambridge Springs
High School, where she hit over .400
her senior season. She has a strong
arm and capable bat.
Mitchell, a senior first baseman
who also can play the outfield, hit .246
last season. She was Edinboro's thirdbest run producer last season with 14
runs batted in and ranked fourth on
the team with six doubles.
Sophomores Meghan Kutz and
Cheri Snyder are Edinboro's top pitch
ers. Kutz, who did not play last season
while attending Penn State University,
was a four-time FCVC all-star at Cam
bridge Springs. Snyder pitched in 22
games for Edinboro last season lead
ing the team with a 2.94 earned run
average.
Senior second baseman Neuburger, a medical redshirt last season with
a hand injury, looks to return to her
form of 1994 when she received PSAC
all-star recognition for hitting .444.
Neuburger had six doubles, six
triples, three home runs and 29 runs
batted in that season.
2
= Player Profiles
...
DIANA HOLDER #21
Senior, Third Base
Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf High School
Was named to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Confer
ence all-star team the past two seasons.
Led 1995 Scots in runs scored (27), tied for team lead in
doubles (10) and ranked second on the squad in batting
average (.319), home runs (2) and runs batted in (16).
Had a .937 fielding percentage last season and can play
third base, first base and second base.
Coach Gierlak on Diana Holder: "Diana works hard and does everything you ask of
her. She is very versatile and is a great leader by example."
JEN MITCHELL #6
Senior, First Base/Outfield
Greensburg, PA/Hempfield Area High School
❖ Was Edinboro's third-best run producer last season with
14 runs batted in.
❖ Hit .246 last season and was fourth on the team with six
doubles.
Coach Gierlak on Jen Mitchell: "Jen has come a long way. Her bat is coming around
and she has become more consistent. She also is a very good defensive player at
first base."
KRISTIN NEUBURGER #24
Senior, Second Base
Fairview, PA/General McLane High School
❖ Was redshirted last season with a hand injury and looks
to return to her form of 1994, when she was named a
PSAC all-star.
❖ Hit .444 in 1994, with six doubles, six triples, three home
runs and 29 runs batted in.
❖ Solid all-around player who also serves as a team leader.
Coach Gierlak on Kristin Neuburger: "Neubie really was missed last year. She has a
good glove and is one of the best hitters I've seen. She's a gamer."
3
= Player Profiles ——
.............r
== Player Profiles =========
HEATHER CLARK #41
Junior, Outfield/First Base
Elgin, PA/Cony Area High School
AMY BURLINGAME #1
Sophomore, Outfield/Catcher
Franklinville, NY/Franklinville Central High School
❖ Was a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference all-star
the past two seasons.
❖ Led Edinboro in nearly every offensive category last sea
son.
❖ Hit .423 last season, with 10 doubles, 10 triples, five
home runs and 34 runs batted in.
❖
❖
❖
Expected to receive most of her playing time in the out
field this season, but also can play behind the plate.
Played in 22 games last season.
In high school, earned four letters each in basketball,
soccer and softball.
"Amy is a heady ballplayer. She also has come
a long way with her bat since last season."
Coach Gierlak on Amy Burlingame:
Coach Gierlak on Heather Clark: "Heather is
a true cleanup hitter, one of the best hit
ters I've seen. She crunches the ball every time she hits it."
MEGHAN KUTZ #22
Sophomore, Pitcher
Cambridge Springs, PA/Cambridge Springs High School
MICHELLE WEBER #20
Junior, Shortstop
Springboro, PA/Conneaut Valley High School
❖
❖ Considered by Coach Gierlak to be one of the top defen
sive shortstops in the PSAC.
❖ Last season, led Scots in sacrifices (9) and was second in
walks (14) and fourth in runs scored (21).
<* Hit .200 last season, collecting 21 hits in 105 at-bats.
Coach Gierlak on Michelle Weber: "Michelle is one of the premier shortstops in the
conference. She's a heady player who is exceptional with the glove. She also has
come a long way with the bat."
AMY ATWOOD #8
Sophomore, Outfield
Sheffield, PA/Sheffield High School
Is a first-year player for the Scots.
Was a three-sport standout at Sheffield High School,
earning three letters in basketball and two letters each in
softball and volleyball.
Provides depth to Edinboro's young outfield.
Coach Gierlak on Amy Atwood: "Amy is coming along well. She has quick hands
and a good eye at the plate, as well as a good sense of the game. She just needs
game experience."
❖
»>
Is a first-year Scot who did not play last season while
attending Penn State University.
Was a four-time French Creek Valley Conference all-star
at nearby Cambridge Springs High School.
Posted a 3.91 grade point average in her first semester at
Edinboro, studying secondary education (biology and
English).
Coach Gierlak on Meghan Kutz: "Meghan has the potential to be as good as any
pitcher at Edinboro. She's smart, she throws hard and she has a lot of pitches. She
also has a good work ethic."
1
J
i
^
M
KELLY MANKOWSKI #14
Sophomore, Pitcher
North East, PA/North East High School
Is a first-year player for the Scots who transferred from
Mercyhurst College in Erie.
Also a member of the Edinboro women's basketball
team.
While at North East High School, earned eight letters in
basketball, soccer, softball and track.
"Kelly is going to pitch for us. It's been a couple
years since she's thrown, but she's a good athlete."
Coach Gierlak on Kelly Mankowski:
5
= Player Profiles
..............'
= Player Profiles =====
ANDRIAMUSSER #11
Sophomore, Outfield
Denver, PA/Cocalico High School
Received limited playing time last season, but could be
a starter in the Scots' outfield this season.
Member of the Dean's List, studying elementary and
special education.
In high school, first-team all-conference selection in softball; earned three letters in softball and two letters each
in basketball and field hockey.
MELISSA WILSMAN #18
Sophomore, Third Base/Catcher
Williamsville, NYAVilliamsville South High School
Is a first-year player for the 'Boro.
In high school, earned four letters in soccer and three in
softball; was an all-conference selection in softball.
Helped lead Williamsville South High School to divi
sional and sectional titles.
"Melissa is a catcher who is now playing the
infield. She has a good eye and can hit the ball well. Defensively, it's just going to
Coach Gierlak on Melissa Wilsman:
Coach Gierlak on Andria Musser: "Andria's a solid left fielder. She's a good defen
sive player and is coming along with the bat."
BECKY POWIERZA #25
Sophomore, Outfield/First Base
Erie, PA/Strong Vincent High School
Is a first-year player for the Scots.
While attending nearby Strong Vincent High School,
earned four letters each in basketball, softball and vol
leyball.
Metro League all-star in high school; also was a member
of the National Honor Society.
"Becky is one of the hardest workers I've seen,
and she has the ability to hit the longball."
Coach Gierlak on Becky Powierza:
KERI CRISCIONE #7
Freshman, Middle Infield/Outfield
Fredonia, NY/Fredonia High School
❖
Versatile athlete who can play second base, shortstop
and the outfield; could see some action on the mound as
well.
❖ In high school, earned eight letters in diving and softball.
❖ Was selected as Fredonia High School's outstanding
female athlete her senior year; also received honorable
mention western New York status in softball.
"I'm real pleased with Keri. She is very versatile
and has the potential to be a heck of a player. She plays very intense and is going
to play a lot of positions for us."
Coach Gierlak on Keri Criscione:
CHERI SNYDER #5
Sophomore, Pitcher
Meadville, PA/Meadville Area High School
Pitched in 22 games for Edinboro last season, posting a
team leading 2.94 earned run average.
While in high school, earned four letters in softball,
three letters in soccer and two letters in basketball.
Honor student in high school who is majoring in sec
ondary education (social studies).
"Cheri has come a long way. With our strong infield,
she can be very effective if she keeps the ball down. She's very smart and she
keeps people off balance with her pitches."
BRANDI LAURIA #9
Freshman, Second Base/Outfield
Oakdale, PA/West Allegheny High School
❖
Was a three-sport standout at West Allegheny High
School, earning 12 letters in basketball, softball and vol
leyball.
❖ In high school, hit .491 as a sophomore, .502 as a junior
and .581 as a senior.
❖ Honor student in high school who is studying criminal
justice.
Coach Gierlak on Cheri Snyder:
6
Coach Gierlak on Brandi Lauria: "Brandi played the infield in high school, but she
was behind Neubie (Kristin Neuburger) at second, so we moved her to the out
field. She's a good hitter."
7
1996 Softball Roster
Player Profiles
JENNIFER McClain #13
Freshman, Outfield/Pitcher
North Versailles, PA/East Allegheny High School
❖
Was a standout at East Allegheny where she earned all
section honors.
❖ Solid left-handed hitter who will compete for playing
time in Edinboro's outfield.
Coach Gierlak on Jennifer McClain: "Jennifer has a good swing, and she can help us
with her bat. Defensively, she gets a great jump on the ball. She's a very smart
ballplayer."
No. Name
1
Amy Burlingame
5
Pos.
Year Hometown/High School
OF/C
So.
Franklinville, NY/Franklinville Central
Cheri Snyder
P
So.
Meadville, PA/Meadville Area
6
Jen Mitchell
IB/OF
Sr.
Greensburg, PA/Hempfield Area
7
Keri Criscione
IF/OF
Fr.
Fredonia, NY/Fredonia
8
Amy Atwood
OF
So.
Sheffield, PA/Sheffield
9
Brandi Lauria
2B/OF
Fr.
Oakdale, PA/West Allegheny
11
Andria Musser
OF
So.
Denver, PA/Cocalico
13
Jennifer McClain
OF/P
Fr.
North Versailles, PA/East Allegheny
LEIGH McMAHON #19
Freshman, Catcher
Cambridge Springs, PA/Cambridge Springs High School
14
Kelly Mankowski
P
So.
North East, PA/North East
18
Melissa Wilsman
3B/C
So.
Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South
❖
19
Leigh McMahon
C
Fr.
Cambridge Springs, PA/Camb. Spgs.
20
Michelle Weber
ss
Jr.
Springboro, PA/Conneaut Valley
21
Diana Holder
3B
Sr.
Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf
22
Meghan Kutz
P
So.
Cambridge Springs, PA/Camb. Spgs.
24
Kristin Neuburger
2B
Sr.
Fairview, PA/General McLane
25
Becky Powierza
OF/IB
So.
Erie, PA/Strong Vincent
41
Heather Clark
OF/IB
Jr.
Elgin, PA/Corry Area
Could handle most of the catching duties for Edinboro
as a freshman.
❖ Was a French Creek Valley Conference all-star at nearby
Cambridge Springs where she caught for Edinboro
teammate Meghan Kutz; hit over .400 her senior year.
❖ Earned nine letters in basketball, softball and volleyball.
Coach Gierlak on Leigh McMahon: "Leigh has the strongest arm of any catcher I've
had, so I don't see people stealing a lot of bases against us. She also has a good
bat."
Kristin Neuburger, Senior, Second Base
8
1996 Softball Schedule
March 7
# Keene State College (NH)
9:00 a.m.
March 7
# St. Anselm College (NH)
11:00 a.m.
March 8
# Monmouth University (NJ)
2:00 p.m.
March 8
# Grand Valley State University (MI)
4:00 p.m.
March 9
# Villanova University
11:00 a.m.
March 11
# Villanova University
2:00 p.m.
March 11
# University of North Dakota
6:00 p.m.
March 12
# Seton Hall University (NJ)
11:00 a.m.
March 12
# University of North Dakota
2:00 p.m.
March 13
# University of New Haven (CT)
11:00 a.m.
March 13
# Tennessee Tech University
2:00 p.m.
March 15
# College of Holy Cross (MA)
11:00 a.m.
March 15
# Seton Hall University (NJ)
2:00 p.m.
March 16
# LeMoyne College (NY)
9:00 a.m.
March 16
# West Chester University of Pa.
11:00 a.m.
March 27
at Allegheny College
DH
3:30 p.m.
April 3
• CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 6
• SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 9
* at Lock Haven University of Pa.
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 13
* at Indiana University of Pa.
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 14
• CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 17
• at California University of Pa.
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 20
* at Clarion University of Pa.
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 23
* at Slippery Rock University of Pa.
DH
3:00 p.m.
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 24
GANNON UNIVERSITY
April 25
* LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
3:00 p.m.
April 27
• INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PA
DH
1:00 p.m.
April 30
at Ashland University (OH)
DH
3:30 p.m.
May 1
at Mercyhurst College
DH
3:00 p.m.
#Denotes games played in Fort Myers, FL
•Denotes Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division games
Media of