IMMACULATA, Pa. – The Immaculata softball team is finishing its preparations for the Atlantic East Tournament. The Mighty Macs will travel to Radnor, Pa. on Friday as they compete in Pod B of the Atlantic East Tournament, hosted by No. 2 Cabrini.
 
Immaculata enters the Atlantic East Tournament with a 10-22 overall record on the season, earning a 6-6 in-conference record on their way to earning the No. 3 seed in the tournament. The Mighty are led by first-year head coach Stefanie Feinstein, who looks to secure a conference title in her first collegiate season.
 
"I can honestly say that this opportunity has given me a new appreciation for coaching," began Feinstein. "I learned that I needed this team as much as they needed me. This group of players is special; their commitment, their perseverance, their work ethic, it's special."
 
Immaculata will compete in Pod B of the tournament alongside the host No. 2 Cabrini and No. 5 Marymount. Cabrini and Marymount will kick off the double-elimination pod on Friday at 12:00 P.M. Immaculata will then follow suit at 2:00 P.M. as they face off against Marymount before facing the host Cabrini at 4:00 P.M.
 
Should all three teams remain after day one, the Mighty Macs will face the Saints in game four on Saturday at 12:00 P.M. The victor will then face the Cavaliers for a chance to reach the Atlantic East Championship at 12:00 P.M. Should only two teams remain, they will face off at 12:00 P.M. with another game if necessary scheduled for 4:00 P.M.
 
Earlier this season, on April 11^th and 12^th, Immaculata faced both Cabrini and Marymount in their respective conference doubleheaders, posting a 1-3 record overall against both opponents. Senior Cat Knoll hit two home runs, including a grand slam, in game two against Cabrini. Peyton McGowan, meanwhile, registered a hit in both games against Cabrini, including a solo home run in game two, posting two RBI overall. Against Marymount, Jess Oldham went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, and two RBI to lead Immaculata to a 4-3 victory in game one. Sarah Guido earned the win for Immaculata, pitching a complete game while allowing three earned runs.
 
"One of the things we have been working to instill in the team this year is that no game, pitch, at bat, or defensive play is more important than the one that came before it or the one that will come after it," explained Feinstein. "They have all been playing this game for a long time. They have thrown hundreds of pitches, fielded plenty of groundballs, taken thousands of swings. It does not matter who we are facing whether it is Cabrini, Marymount, or Bazooka State, we will not be putting any extra significance on any game this post season. We just need to stay focused and play our game."
 
As a team, the Macs are led offensively by senior Katy Newton, who has recorded a .394 batting average on the year. Oldham and Knoll, meanwhile are neck-and-neck in PS, registering a .927 and .926 OPS, respectively. Oldham leads the Mighty Macs with three home runs and 10 doubles on the season while Knoll has batted in a team-high 28 runs on the season. Freshman Bryele Anthony has been a consistent presence out of the leadoff spot for the Macs, leading the team with 32 hits and 25 runs on the season. Anthony currently stands second in program history in stolen bases, having swiped 21 bags on 23 attempts on the season.
 
Inside the circle, the Macs are led by senior Sarah Guido, who has registered a team-leading 62 innings pitched. Guido has pitched four complete games on the season, including this past Friday as she kept Gwynedd Mercy to two earned runs in a 5-4 victory. Guido, alongside fellow senior Kayler Peugh captain a young pitching core including the likes of freshman Emma Mercadante and sophomores Kristin Carter, Maggie Wilkinson, Riece Onorato, and Nicolette Merlino.
 
"We have had so many people step up this year in different capacities," described Feinstein. "Our senior class is locked in right now. Cat Knoll and Katy Newton are at the top of their game offensively and defensively. Sarah Guido has been a leader on the mound. It doesn't stop there. Sara Rode, Kristin Carter and Kaitlyn Carter have had key success on both sides of the ball. Bryele Anthony is a force to be reckoned with as our leadoff hitter and centerfielder. Honestly, the list goes on, I couldn't be more proud of how each and every one of my players has stepped up this season."
 
Marymount, the fifth seed in the tournament, has posted a 14-22 record on the season, owning a 5-7 record in Atlantic East play. The Saints are led offensively by freshman Samantha Cinotti, who leads the team with 44 hits, 30 runs, 16 stolen bases, and a .379 average on the season. Shanyn Burch and Morgan Hunt have combined to pitch every inning for the Saints this season. Both having earned 18 starts, Burch leads the Saints with a 3.87 ERA on the season.
 
The second seed Cabrini, meanwhile, looks to make a return to the Atlantic East Championship following their loss last year to Wesley. The Cavaliers own an 18-10 overall record on the season along with an 8-4 record in conference play. They are led offensively by sophomore Ariana Mirenda, who has posted a .429 average and 1.024 OPS on the season while leading the team with 39 hits and 32 runs scored. Junior Avery Brynes is the Cavaliers' man threat inside the circle this season, having pitched 12 complete games and five shutouts on her way to a 2.20 ERA on the season.
 
While the Macs battle the Saints and Cavaliers in Pod B, Pod A of the Atlantic East Tournament will duke it out as well. No. 1 Marywood will host Pod A, which will also consist of No. 4 Neumann and No. 6 Centenary.
 
"The entire team is as confident as I have seen them all year. We cannot wait for Friday. We are ready to keep the momentum rolling, to have some fun, play our game, and to watch the success follow," concluded Feinstein.