March 23, 2018
By Brian McLaughlin, Student Staff Writer GoPSUsports.com
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State softball finally returned home last weekend, taking the series against the Kent State Golden Flashes. Not only was it the first home series of the year for the Nittany Lions, it was also the first games at Beard Field for the Penn State freshmen, including Erin Murray.
Murray is an outfielder for the Nittany Lions, hailing from Great Falls, Virginia. For the Nittany Lion newcomer, attending Penn State was always an obvious choice.
"I came here for softball camp when I was a freshman in high school," Murray said. "Just being here and being on campus and seeing the people I knew this was where I wanted to go to school."
The energy Penn State has had so far this season has been spectacular despite a slow start. The return home has been a blessing for Penn State, taking 2-of-3 from Kent State in the opening series.
"I thought the kids played hard and I hope everyone got to see what we've been talking about away from home. We play hard, we fight, and we don't give up," head coach Amanda Lehotak said following the opening games against Kent State.
That attitude is one of the most valuable aspects Murray brings to the team, and she hopes to contribute to that attitude moving forward.
"My biggest strength is my personality and being a good consistent teammate," Murray said. "On the field, in the batter's box I am willing to do whatever it takes to get on base, whether that's to get hit by a pitch or draw a walk or put the ball on the ground."
True to her word, having just appeared in two games so far this season, Murray has seen just one plate appearance but got hit by a pitch and reached base.
All of the players on Penn State's roster have been praised for their work ethic and strong team chemistry, but one leader particularly stands out to Murray and exemplifies this team's attitude as someone she looks up to
"(I look up to) Toni Polk. She is very calm and relaxed and she is a good teammate to everybody and she works hard every day," Murray said.
The Penn State team broke through in the third game of the series against Kent State. The teams took extra innings before the Nittany Lions got the walk-off and clinching the series victory.
"(Coming back on Sunday) was one of the best feelings ever. I loved it so much, the energy in the dugout was so much fun, it was unbelievable," Murray said.
Like many experiences as a freshman, everything is still new to Murray as she adjusts to her life on campus as well as on the field. Recently she had a switch off the field that helped her feel more comfortable.
"I just switched to the College of Communications from the School of Engineering, so a big change for me," Murray said. "It was something exciting and new and different completely from what I had been studying before."
Another first for Murray will occur this weekend with Penn State opening its Big Ten play against the Maryland Terrapins.
"As a freshman I'm new to Big Ten play, but I'm excited and nervous and I think it should go pretty well," Murray said.
The confidence is growing for Penn State with every game, as they are in the midst of a young two game winning streak. From freshman like Murray, to upperclassmen like Polk, this team has gone through lots of adversity early in the season but appears to be emerging out of it stronger than ever and ready to compete.