SELINSGROVE, PA – A veteran squad will look to lead the Susquehanna University softball team back to the Commonwealth Conference playoffs in its final season in the league in 2007, before the Crusaders begin play in the newly-formed Landmark Conference in 2008.

A total of 13 letterwinners, including 12 players who started at least 10 games last season, return for fifth-year head coach Kathy Kroupa, who was recognized by her peers as the Commonwealth Conference Coach of the Year last season after guiding the Crusaders to a 22-12 record and fourth place in the conference at 8-6.

Leading the offense for the Crusaders is senior shortstop Sarah Shaffer (New Castle, PA/Shenango), who was named Commonwealth Conference Player of the Year after hitting .422 with a school-record six home runs and 25 runs batted in last season.

A third-team All-East pick by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, Shaffer led the conference in slugging percentage (.761) and triples (five) and enters her senior season with a .377 career average including 115 hits and 65 runs scored.

Junior third baseman Megan McCurley (Emmaus, PA/Emmaus) was a second-team All-Conference choice following a sophomore season in which she hit .333 with seven doubles and led the league in assists with 102. She carries a .362 career average with 75 hits into the 2007 season.

Senior catcher and team captain Kerri Brugger (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Indian Hills) was also a second-team All-Conference pick after batting .333 with three homers and 30 runs batted in during the 2006 season. She finished third in the conference in RBI and was just two shy of the school record of 32 set by Meg Sorber in 1988. Brugger is a career .280 hitter with 58 hits and 45 runs batted in.

Junior Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, PA/Milton) is slated to pull double duty at first base and pitcher in 2007 after starting 30 games last year and batting .220 with 12 runs batted in at the plate, while going 2-2 with a 1.85 earned run average in five starts with 14 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings of work.

At second base, the Crusaders will continue the successful platoon of senior Brandi Swartz (Lewisburg, PA/Mifflinburg) and junior Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston). Swartz started 18 games while McCann made 17 starts last season, and the duo combined to make just six errors in 157 chances for a strong.962 fielding percentage.

Sophomore Kim Hartzell (Easton, PA/Easton) will also see significant time after starting 16 games last season at a variety of positions and batting .224, while sophomore first baseman Laurie Blaszka (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills Regional) will make her debut after missing her freshman season due to an injury. Freshman Katie Connors (Laflin, PA/Pittston Area) provides depth at both second base and third base for the Crusaders.

In the outfield, seniors Kelsey Conway (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin) and Kristin Boccafola (Wading River, NY/Shoreham-Wading River) are three-year starters, with Conway batting .265 with 13 walks in 32 games last season and Boccafola hitting .245 in 18 starts a year ago. Conway enters her senior season with 55 career hits and a .256 batting average while Boccafola has hit .294 with 60 hits in 73 career contests.

Junior Jill Worlinsky (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Bishop Hoban) made 23 starts a year ago and recorded 10 hits and scored 13 runs, while fellow junior Amy Licata (Mountain Top, PA/Crestwood) started 11 games and finished with four hits and seven runs scored.

A trio of newcomers will also play an important role for the Crusaders in the outfield – sophomore Kayla Nazelrod (Oakland, MD/Southern Garrett) and freshmen Kelli Holota (Livingston, NJ/Livingston) and Deanna Anderson (Coal Township, PA/Shamokin Area). Holota will also back up Brugger behind the plate along with sophomore Cara Bonfanti (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin).

Leading the Crusader pitching staff is senior Kelly McHale (Oley, PA/Reading Central Catholic), who compiled a 10-6 record with a 2.37 earned run average in 17 games (14 starts) last season. She tossed 12 complete games and struck out 33 batters in 94 2/3 innings while issuing just 13 walks, and for her career McHale is 17-15 in 40 games (27 starts) with a 2.92 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 197 innings, while issuing a mere 19 bases on balls.