Penn College’s softball team will compete in the NCAA Division III Regional tournament starting Thursday, May 14, with coach Amber Savage outlining her team’s approach: “Compete with joy, stay true to who we are, and continue playing our brand of softball.” Savage said the all-sophomore and freshman squad is “excited for the challenge and grateful for the opportunity. This group has earned the right to be here, and we’re looking forward to seeing how far their belief and preparation can take them.”
The Wildcats (33-7) will face second-seeded Christopher Newport University (28-11) at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday in Alliance, Ohio. The double elimination tournament is hosted by top-seed Mount Union (29-6), which opens play against Lebanon Valley College (26-15). The winners of Thursday’s games will meet Friday morning while losers play an elimination game that afternoon; additional games are scheduled through Saturday if necessary. The overall winner advances to the Super Regional round.
This marks Penn College’s third straight trip to nationals—and fourth in six years—though they are still seeking their first win at this level. After capturing United East Conference titles in 2021 and 2024 for automatic qualification, Penn College advanced again this year as conference runner-up due to Brandywine’s ongoing transition period making them ineligible.
Reflecting on her team’s postseason performance last weekend, Savage said: “This squad showed a lot of maturity and resilience throughout the UEC postseason. They competed with poise, stayed connected, and proved that their preparation and belief in one another could carry them through big moments. What they accomplished, especially as such a young roster, speaks volumes about their work ethic and their commitment to growing every day.” She continued: “We knew we had talent, but what stood out was how quickly they bought into our culture and elevated each other…they exceeded every expectation by how consistently they showed up for one another.”
Sophomore pitcher Mackenzi Tice has been a key player during the postseason run; she threw four complete games over last weekend’s UE Final Four tournament while improving her season record to 22-4 with a 1.72 ERA. Offensively Ryleigh Rinker (.453 average), Payton Crawford (.446 average), Sofia Mileto (.422 average), and Taylor Brown (.412 average) have led Penn College’s lineup.
Savage praised Tice’s endurance saying: “Tice is a competitor in every sense…The key to pushing through tough stretches is trust…She embodied that all weekend and then some.” Looking ahead at regional opponents’ records—including Mount Union ranked No. 11 nationally—Penn College faces strong competition but aims to build on its season-long momentum.
