2024 Gardner-Webb Runnin' Rebel Schedule
Feb. 9 vs. Delaware - 11 a.m.
Feb. 9 vs. East Tennessee State - 1 p.m.
Feb. 10 vs. East Tennessee State - 3 p.m.
Feb. 10 at Gardner-Webb - 5 p.m.
Feb. 11 vs. Delaware - 10 a.m.
The Youngstown State softball team begins its 45th season when it opens the 2024 campaign with five-games at the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldog Classic, Feb. 9-11, in Boiling Springs, N.C.
The Penguins will take on Delaware and East Tennessee State on Friday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. On Saturday, the Penguins play East Tennessee State for the second time at 3 p.m. and face host Gardner-Webb at 5 p.m. Youngstown State closes out the tournament facing Delaware on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Up Next
The Penguins head to the Palmetto State for another five-game tournament hosted by Presbyterian in Clinton, S.C.
What Returns
The Penguins return 15 letterwinners and seven starters from last year's team that won 27 games.
Don't Mess with Fess
Graduate student Sara Fessler turned in a player-of-the-year caliber season in 2023 for the Penguins and was named All-Horizon League First-Team. She batted .369 with 41 runs scored, 12 doubles, five home runs, 15 stolen bases, 17 runs batted in, a .541 slugging percentage and a .492 on-base percentage. Fessler batted .400 in Horizon League play with four doubles, three home runs, 10 stolen bases, a .586 slugging percentage, 30 walks and a .523 on-base percentage. She also ranked in the top five in 11 statistical categories.
Sophie's Choice
Senior Sophie Howell posted the best season of her career in 2023. Howell was named Second-team All-Horizon League selection and was named to the Horizon League All-Tournament team. She appeared in 39 games and had 200.2 innings pitched while striking out 173 batters. She completed the season with a 2.48 ERA and 17-12 record and added two saves.
Easy E
Senior shortstop Elyssa Imler was an All-Horizon League Second-Team selection in 2023 after batting .300 with six doubles and 14 runs scored against Horizon League foes. Overall, she batted .290 with 26 runs scored, 10 doubles and 19 runs batted in.
Staying 'Tru'ran
Junior Taylor Truran showed tremendous improvement during her sophomore season in 2023. Truran batted .356 with three doubles in Horizon League action. She was also named to the All-Tournament Team after batting .417 with three runs batted in and a .533 on-base percentage.
Howell Climbing Charts
Senior Sophie Howell is climbing the charts in the YSU record book. Howell ranks fifth all-time with 325 career strikeouts and needs four more to move into fourth place. She needs 75 more whiffs to become just the third pitcher in program history to record at least 400 career strikeouts. Howell has 27 career victories and ranks 11th all-time. With her next win, she will move into a tie for 10th all-time.
