UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The regular season is coming to a close for the Penn State Nittany Lion softball team and with it comes the end to the collegiate playing careers of the 2019 senior class. This year's group, which consists of Tori Dubois, Paige Johnson, Toni Polk, Madison Shaffer and Meghan Williams, has experienced ups and downs during their time here, but never wavered in faith.
Head coach Amanda Lehotak has a special connection with this class. It is the first she recruited the full way through high school and coached for four years.
"I think whenever you take over a program, you convince your first class to share your vision and you understand that it's not going to be easy," Lehotak said. "But for a class to buy into your vision and philosophy and understand that they're going to go through [the struggles] with you, that's really special for a coach."
The special group has been contributors for the Blue and White this season, accumulating 99 hits, 14 home runs and 47 RBIs at the plate, and 33.2 innings and 27 strikeouts while holding opponents to just a .257 batting average from the mound during the 2019 campaign.
While the group has had success on the field, Lehotak also thinks this class will be one that is remembered for years to come for more than just the numbers.
"I think this is one of the first senior classes that has left a legacy in regards to so many aspects," she said. "Academics, work ethic every day at practice, leadership. They're just a high-class, high-character group and they've just done everything right."
Throughout the season, Lehotak has emphasized, on more than one occasion, that this is the most resilient and competitive team she's ever coached. She says it's something you can't teach and hopefully something that gets passed on.
"They just love to play the game. They're competitive people in the classroom, they're competitive people in life and they're definitely competitive [on the field]," she said. "They helped turn over the culture and our mentality and I think we're on the upward movement because of them. I owe them a lot."
The seniors themselves may or may not know exactly how important and influential they are to the program, but they're doing their best to pass on what they've learned.
"It's a lead by example situation," Williams said. "We've been here for a long time. We show up and do the work every day."
Shaffer echoed Williams' thoughts.
"Hopefully [the underclassmen] see how we like to lead by example and they do that for the incoming class." Shaffer said.
The players also want to emphasize that enjoying every moment during your time as a Nittany Lion is important and should be cherished.
"I think the biggest thing is to be where your feet are," Polk said. "I know to stay in the moment and be present."
"Just try to enjoy your time together while it's here." Shaffer said.
Williams spoke for the entire class when she summed up their feelings by saying, "We're hoping that we set the example for the future."
If what her coach says is true, they have nothing to worry about.
The seniors will look to make their mark once again during their last home games this weekend as the Nittany Lions take on Indiana on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. First pitch for the series opener at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.