Softball

    York College Dean of Athletics and Recreation Sean Sullivan announced on July 9, 2007 that Jennifer Patrick has been selected as the new Spartan softball coach. Patrick, previously the head coach at Chowan, replaces Becky Bliss who resigned at the end of the 2007 season after five years at the helm of the Spartan program.
    Patrick brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the York College program. She was an outstanding four-year starter at first base for the Methodist College Monarchs, one of the top programs in the south region. She was a two-year captain for the Monarchs as she helped Methodist compile a four-year record of 120-53 overall including a 41-11 mark in the Dixie/USA South Conference. Patrick was a two-time Methodist Team MVP, a two-time First-Team All-Dixie/USA South selection, and a two-time Offensive Player-of-the-Year. Patrick holds five Methodist career records as she owns the marks for career games played, at-bats, triples, total bases, and put-outs. She also holds single-season records for triples and put-outs.
    As a coach, Patrick began as a volunteer assistant coach at Huntingdon Area School district where she served as the assistant junior varsity coach. She then was appointed as the assistant coach at Washington & Jefferson College where she helped lead the Presidents to 21 wins, the second highest total in school history. At the conclusion of her year at W&J, Patrick moved on to St. Francis University where she handled the infielders in addition to being involved in all aspects of the Division I Red Flash program. Patrick then earned her first head coaching position in July of 2007 when she was named the head coach at Division II Chowan University. She led the very young Brave squad to 19 wins in her first and only year in Murfreesboro, NC.
    Patrick is happy to come back to her native state of Pennsylvania.
    “Certainly getting the chance to come to York College as the head softball coach is a great opportunity,” states Patrick. “I am excited about the possibilities of this program and the opportunity to lead this program into one of the best in the region.”
    Sullivan is very excited to have Patrick on staff.
    “Jennifer brings a tremendous enthusiasm to our program and our staff,” states Sullivan. “Her track record as a player and a coach provide our student-athletes with a proven leader that should enable our program to ride on the track of improvement.”
    Patrick will have a number of quality returners from a youthful Spartan squad that posted 16 wins last year. Sophomore Sam Lawrence (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) leads the returning outfielders as she is the lone returning All-CAC player after earning the honor as a freshman. Heather Bormann (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) and Afton Brugger (Westfield, PA/Cowanesque Valley) are two of the Spartans’ top returning infielders while sophomore Megan Lahner (Finksburg, MD/Westminster) and junior Nicole Kerfoot (Owings, MD/Northern) return to anchor the Spartan pitching staff.
    “I am excited about the returning talent on the team but I am also looking to add a number of talented players that can help make the transition a successful one in 2008,” says Patrick. “We have the potential to have a very exciting season and I look forward to getting started.”
    Patrick starts her new position on July 17.

Jennifer Probst enters her first year as an assistant coach with Jennifer Patrick. Probst comes to York College from Bloomsburg University where she was a four-year member of the Huskies pitching staff. Bloomsburg accumulated a record of 153-47-1 while Probst was a member of the team. Probst went 9-2 in 72.2 innings as her career ERA was a stellar 1.26. She struck out 70 during her career while opponents hit a combined .176 against her.

In her time at Bloomsburg, the Huskies went to three PSAC championships, participated in the regional tournament all four years with the Huskies, advancing to the national tournament in two of those four years.

Probst brings a wealth of coaching knowledge to the green and white pitching staff. She has served as the pitching instructor for the Harrisburg Alley Cats, a 14-and-under fast pitch team. Probst worked with the pitchers and catchers while she also had additional assistant coaching
responsibilities.

Probst graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry while she also had a concentration in studio art.