First-year student Jocelyn Pfleiger is dominating the softball field in her first collegiate season as the new single-season home run record holder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pfleiger broke the record with her ninth home run of the season against Elizabethtown College on April 12. Also in that game, Pfleiger had four RBIs, two walks and a double.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cObviously, she has been a major impact on our run-scoring ability,\u201d Head Coach Terry Burdette said. \u201cShe leads or is near the top of the MAC Commonwealth in every major offensive category.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pfleiger currently leads the team with a batting average of .398, 12 doubles, 31 RBIs and a total of 41 hits this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For two consecutive weeks in March, Pfleiger was recognized by the National Fastpitch Coach Association (NFCA) as a top performer, along with first-year pitcher, Rebecca Gottleib, who was named a top performer for one week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t expect to accomplish as much as I did but I feel like I can do better than what I\u2019m doing now,\u201d Pfleiger said. \u201cI never settle for what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pfleiger said that her teammates Angela Acampora and Rachel Benden have made the transition for the first-years students on the team easier by contributing to a supportive and fun atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acampora is a senior and plays first base. \u201cShe\u2019s like my mentor,\u201d Pfleiger said. \u201cI love her to death, she really helped boost my confidence and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pfleiger said that junior pitcher Benden gets everyone engaged by cheering on teammates and encouraging others to do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThose are the two I look up to most\u2026and they build the team chemistry,\u201d Pfleiger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One key to her success is the mindset and energy Pfleiger brings to the field. She said that before a game she likes to have a clear mindset, so she won\u2019t overthink when playing. She also finds that being energetic and hyping up her teammates helps her prepare for the match ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe is a great teammate and vocal leader,\u201d Burdette said. \u201cShe plays with a lot of enthusiasm and energy which helps keep our team engaged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team\u2019s goal this season is to reach the playoffs and see how far they can go, Pfleiger said. <\/s>The last time Hood softball made the playoffs was in 2018 when the Blazers qualified for their third consecutive conference tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The softball team has an overall record of 14-15-1 this season and are 4-6 in conference play. The team has a doubleheader at Messiah University on April 27. On Sunday, May 1, the Blazers will play another doubleheader at Catholic University which will conclude their regular season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"