UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – While most students were at home or on a beach during Penn State's spring break last week, the Nittany Lion Softball team was busy, going 10-2 in their most recent trip down to Florida. The Nittany Lions were able to improve to 13-12 on the season thanks to their current 6-game winning streak.
The improvement in level of play is evident, and head coach Amanda Lehotak thinks experience is a key to the recent success.
"We're starting a lot of freshmen," Lehotak said. "No matter what you [teach], they have it figure it out. You can't coach experience."
Lehotak also believes that the improved play of the defense has been vital.
"The biggest difference is our defense is settled down," she said. "Now that the defense is clicking, it's helped snowball the confidence in all areas."
Freshman pitcher, Kylee Lingenfelter, who boasts a 1.69 ERA in her 41.1 innings of work, attributed some of the success to confidence amongst the team.
"I think the team knows that everyone has their back and it's okay if you make an error because the next person is going to make up for it," said Lingenfelter. "We're trusting each other more."
Having a positive attitude is crucial for teams to continue to play at a high level and Lehotak says this win streak has helped bring a new attitude to the locker room.
"There's a little more pep in our step and our confidence. Whenever you win, it changes everything. It definitely leads to less self-doubt." She said.
Lingenfelter echoed her coach's observations.
"It seems like everyone is really happy," she said. "Everyone was happy and cheering for each other and we're just having fun."
It's no secret that winning is fun, but when a team goes on a stretch of success like the Nittany Lions have done, it's easy to lose focus and get caught up in the limelight of victory. However, Lehotak claims her group has a level-headed mentality moving forward.
"They know that every game matters," Lehotak said. "Just because we have a good week doesn't mean we have a good season."
Lehotak added that this team's way of thinking may be unprecedented during her tenure at Penn State, where she is currently in her sixth season.
"This team, they get it. They see the big picture and that's what's a blessing about this team," she said. "You don't need to motivate them [because] they're very much self-motivated. "It's probably the first time I've never had to manage that."
After 25 games in places like North Carolina and Florida, the Nittany Lions will finally play on their home field in their next games next Wednesday in a doubleheader against Robert Morris. It's something that both the players and coaches have been looking forward to.
"There's nothing like playing at home, on our field, in front of our fans," Lehotak said. "Our fans are great because they support us wherever we are, but it's nice to give back and let [the players] show all the hard work we've put in."
Lingenfelter, as a freshman, also cannot wait to play in the Nittany Lion Softball Park for her first time.
"I'm really excited because we have really good fans and really good support from everyone here." She said.
The first pitches for the games against Robert Morris are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
