Postseason Play Continues for Six Fall Wildcat Teams

Published 10.12.2004

News
Athletics

Postseason play continues for six Pennsylvania College of Technology fall sports teams this week. All six are competing in the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference playoffs for the first time, while the College's cross country teams also are participating in the Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Conference finals. Scheduled to see action Wednesday is the baseball team, in the CCAC East Division playoffs at 2 p.m. at Penn State Abington, and men's soccer squad, in a CCAC semifinal at 6 p.m. hosting Penn State Abington. Competing Saturday will be the men's and women's cross country teams, in the CCAC-PCAA championships at University Park. The women's team runs at 10 a.m. and the men at 11 a.m. Also on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., the co-ed tennis team will begin CCAC tournament action at University Park that concludes Sunday. On Sunday, the women's volleyball team will play Penn State Wilkes-Barre at 11 a.m. in a CCAC semifinal at University Park. BaseballLast Saturday, Penn College was eliminated from the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference playoffs after a 7-5 loss to Penn State Abington. The Wildcats will be out to avenge that loss when they travel to Penn State Abington for a semifinal game in the CCAC playoffs. Tyler Heagy, a freshman from Annville-Cleona High School who has turned into the pitching staff ace, will start on the mound. "This is a chance to get even with them," said coach Mike Stanzione, noting that Penn State Abington finished second in the EPCC tournament to champ Northampton Community College. "This is our first venture into CCAC postseason play and we're looking forward to seeing how it all works," Stanzione added. In the other half of the East bracket, Penn State Delaware and Penn State Hazleton battle. Wednesday's winners advance to the East final Oct. 19. The winner of that game squares off against the West champ in a best-of-three series scheduled to begin Oct. 23. Teams in the West Division are Penn State Beaver, Penn State Fayette, Penn State McKeesport and Penn State New Kensington.Men's Soccer In their only previous meeting this season, Penn College edged Penn State Abington, 1-0, and Wildcat coach Andy Richardson said going into the rematch, "I feel pretty confident . . . but every game in the playoffs tends to be a little different." The lone league loss Penn College suffered this season came against Penn State-Hazleton, whichmeets Penn State York in the other half of the playoff bracket. Noted Richardson, "We hope to advance (by beating Penn State Abington) and redeem our loss to Hazleton." Wednesday's winners play Saturday at 1 p.m. at University Park. Cross CountryAlthough his men finished last in a six-team field and the best his top men's and women's runners finished was 39th, Wildcat coach Mike Paulhamus said Saturday's Bloomsburg Invitational was a great prep race for this Saturday's CCAC/PCAA championships. "It was a great lead-up race because the distance (at Bloomsburg) will be the same (as at Penn State) for both the men and the women. It was 5.2 miles for the guys and a little more than 3.5 for the girls. They noticed a difference, but they did very, very well. They were able to adapt," he said. "We're ready for the distance. We're just waiting for Saturday now." Paulhamus said his team will continue its normal workout routine this week in preparation for Saturday. "Even though we are the team to beat on the men's side, and probably on the women's side, we're going to treat it like we're the hunted animal and they're coming after us. We're going to work hard . . . and we'll slack off on Oct. 17, after it's over," Paulhamus added. In winning the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference championships a week and a half ago, Dan Arminavage (Annville-Cleona) led the Wildcat men, followed by Tom Lambert (Bangor), Justin Alberts (Greenwood), Jamie King (Scranton), Joe Addesso (Exeter), Ryan Lampart (Hazleton), Tyler Hoffman (Carlisle), Michael Womelsdorf (Allentown Dieruff) and Zach Ireland (Milton). Jennie Mull (Huntingdon) led the Penn College women, followed by Rachel Sledzinski (Western Wayne), Jen Friese (Chambersburg) and Tracey Seylar (Chamberburg). TennisDespite not playing as well as expected as a team during the regular season, Wildcat coach Charlie Baum has high hopes for his individuals going into the CCAC tournament at University Park. Competing for Penn College in men's singles will be John Lafferty (Lansdale Catholic) at No. 1, Mike Everd (Baltimore, Md.) at No. 2, Spyke Krepshaw (Southern Columbia) at No. 3 and Mike Ceresini (Lebanon) at No. 4. Lafferty-Everd will go at No. 1 men's doubles, but Baum is undecided who he'll play at No. 2 men's doubles. In women's singles, Theresa Burrill (Jersey Shore) will be at No. 1 and Lauren O'Donnell (Kennett Square) at No. 2. O'Donnell and Krystal Sheredos (Bangor) will represent the College in women's doubles. "I see Spyke and Mike Ceresini getting very far in their brackets, and at least one of them will win," forecast Baum. "Both Theresa and Lauren are favorites to win their brackets, and Sheredos-O'Donnell have played well together all year and should make a strong showing," the coach added, noting that Burrell is a two-time defending PCAA singles champion. Women's VolleyballWhile Penn College opens against Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Penn State Fayette and Penn State Mont Alto will square off at 1 p.m. in the other semifinal. The championship match is scheduled for 3 p.m. Penn State Wilkes-Barre will be a new opponent for the Lady Wildcats and, should they advance, so would Penn State Mont Alto. But coach Bambi Hawkins' charges are very familiar with Penn State Fayette, having beaten its teamin two of three meetings this season, including Sunday in the CCAC West Division final.