Slugging it out for a ring

As the Vikings head into their final home stand of the season against Loyola Marymount University at Erv Lind Stadium this weekend, senior slugger and staff ace Mandy Hill is trying to keep things in perspective.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet. I’m not really trying to think about it right now,” Hill said. “When it happens, I’m going to try not to cry. That’s my goal, because we have more games after that and I don’t want to get emotional and screw up my game.”

Hill is one of three seniors who will be honored on Senior Day this Sunday. Outfielder Shannon Stacy and pitcher Meghan Gendron are also in their last year of eligibility. Stacy and Hill were recruited before Amy Hayes took over head coaching duties from PSU legend Teri Mariani in 2006.

“It’s been a very good experience,” Hill said. “I have no regrets. I’m so glad I chose this school. Everything worked out the way it should.”

Hill will leave Portland State as one of its best student athletes. She is the team’s career leader in home runs, RBIs and wins. Stacy was a 2007 second-team all-conference performer, while Gendron is 2-0 with a 4.80 ERA in 23 innings of Division I ball.

Adding on to the emotions of playing before the home crowd for the last time are the stakes at risk. LMU leads the Pacific Coast Softball Conference with an 8-4 record. Portland State is in second at 7-5, one game behind with four crucial games to play that could decide the conference championship.

Gendron, a transfer from Mt. Hood Community College who said she never expected to play Division I softball, wants to win a championship and realizes this is her only chance.

“We’ve worked for it all season. We’ve talked about it all season,” she said. “We have a really good team this year and a really good chance. I’m just trying to put my time in and do what I can to help the team out.”

The Vikings will need each player to do whatever it takes this weekend if they hope to unseat perennial powerhouse Loyola Marymount. The Lions have outscored their opponents 186-94 on the year and have decent power in the form of juniors Chelsie Tysdal and Megan Ackerman, and freshman Darcy Pagnini.

Tysdal is the Lions’ star catcher, hitting .372 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs. Senior Tiffany Pagano is the staff ace, with a 21-8 record and 1.33 ERA.

Hayes said she is preparing her team to deal with the Lions’ potent lineup and that her team will have to make some adjustments to be successful.

“I think there are a couple of kids we have to work around a little bit in their lineup,” Hayes said. “That Ackerman kid is hitting really well right now. They’ve got the top two pitchers in the conference.”

Hayes said Pagano has the potential to “give a team fits.”

“Hopefully we get to her early,” Hayes said. “That’s the plan, as always. They’re a well-put-together team. It’s something we’re going to definitely want to shut down. We want to get on them early.”

After this weekend, the Vikings have only a four-game series at Santa Clara left in their regular season. Since there is no conference championship, the regular-season champion goes on to play in the NCAA Tournament.

The weather is expected to clear up this weekend. If any games are rained out, they will be made up after the Vikings head to Santa Clara next week.

“If we want it, here’s our chance,” Hill said. “It’s now or never. We want to go out on top. I’d like another ring.”

Mandy Hill

Batting

2005.212, 22 H, 4 HR, 15 RBI2006.322, 48 H, 12 HR, 48 RBI2007.273, 45 H, 11 HR, 40 RBI2008.295, 39 H, 4 HR, 31 RBI

Pitching

20055-5, 3.00 ERA, 81 IP, 58 K200624-7, 1.97 ERA, 227 IP, 170 K200720-19, 2.27 ERA, 283 IP, 205 K200813-14, 3.07 ERA, 178 IP, 131 K

Shannon Stacy

Batting

2006.071, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI2007.345, 10 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI2008.266, 17 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI

Meghan Gendron

Pitching

20082-0, 4.80 ERA, 23 IP, 13 K