Washington & Jefferson College softball coach Stephani Ehrenfeld is hoping for a repeat of last season as the Presidents enter the Presidents' Athletic Conference playoffs.

"We were the third seed last year and won the tournament," said Ehrenfeld. "We could face the same scenario again this year."

Washington & Jefferson entered this weekend in third place. The Presidents concluded their conference schedule with a 9-3 record. Westminster and Thomas More are tied for first place at 9-1.

"Westminster and Thomas More have a doubleheader [today] to determine the regular-season champion," said Ehrenfield. "A tie for first is possible if they split."

A tie for second place involving W&J is also possible if either team sweeps the doubleheader. If that occurs, the tiebreaker is the record both teams compiled against common non-conference opponents. The PAC tournament is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, with the regular-season champion serving as host team.

"Our goal is to repeat as PAC champions and hopefully earn an NCAA Division III berth," said Ehrenfield, who has a 76-63 record in four seasons. "Almost everybody is back from last year's squad."

The only senior is shortstop Stacey Bugle, a South Park graduate who leads the team with a .438 average. She also ranks first on the team with nine doubles and four triples. Bugle is a four-year starter who has a career average of .327 in 126 starts. She also has 101 runs scored, 70 RBIs, 20 doubles and 10 triples during her career.

"Stacey and Amanda Howard are our co-captains," said Ehrenfeld.

Howard, a junior center fielder from North Allegheny, is also the team's leadoff hitter. She is hitting .376 and leads the team with 26 runs and 14 stolen bases.

"The infield and outfield have changed during the season due to a pair of season-ending injuries," said Ehrenfeld. "Katie Novak and Kayla Lloyd both suffered broken hands."

Novak, a freshman from Chestnut Ridge, started the first 13 games at second base and had a .288 average. Lloyd, a junior from Norwin, was splitting time at third base prior to her injury.

Melissa Metcalf, a junior from Carmichaels, became the full-time third baseman. She is hitting .325 with 11 runs scored and 11 RBIs.

Kelly Morrow, a sophomore from Bethel Park, has moved from the outfield to replace Novak. Morrow is hitting .306 with 22 runs scored and leads the team with 24 RBIs.

"Kelly is very versatile," said Ehrenfeld, a 1996 graduate of North Hills High School. "She is also our backup catcher."

Morrow, Metcalf, and Bugle are joined in the infield by Valerie Schultz, a sophomore from McGuffey, and Tanesha Minney, a junior from Chartiers-Houston.

"Valerie and Tanesha split time at first base," said Ehrenfeld. "If Valerie is at first, then Tanesha is our designated hitter and vice versa."

Schultz and Minney have each started 23 games. Schultz ranks second on the team with a .429 average, seven doubles, and 20 RBIs. Minney is hitting .304 with 15 RBIs.

"We have seven starters who have a .300 or better average," said Ehrenfeld. "Most teams have four or five at the most. I'm certainly not complaining."

Howard is joined in the outfield by Ally Stasik, a junior left fielder from South Fayette, and the right field platoon of Sara Jolley, a freshman from Belle Vernon, and Emily Andriaccio, a sophomore from New York. Stasik is batting .329 with seven doubles and 15 RBIs.

Stasik is among five juniors who are three-year starters. The others are Howard, Metcalf, Spisak and Minney.

The pitching has been handled by Rebecca Nachreiner, a sophomore from North Hills, Georgia Schumacher, a freshman from West Virginia, and Kelsey Donahue, a junior from Northwestern High. Nachreiner has an 8-6 record in 12 starts. Schumacher has a 6-2 mark in eight starts. Donahue is 2-1 in five starts.

The catcher is Hannah Schulz, a junior from Hampton who is hitting .288 with two home runs and 14 RBIs.