Mary Pavlovich has helped the Bucknell University women’s softball program rebuild during the past two NCAA Division I seasons.
Now, the Richland High School graduate will join four of her Bison teammates on the international stage during the USA Athletes International tour of Australia next month.
Pavlovich recently completed her sophomore season as a third baseman at Bucknell.
“I honestly don’t know what to expect,” said Pavlovich, a second-team All-Patriot League selection this year and a National Fastpitch Coaches Association scholar-athlete All-American as a freshman. “I do expect the competition to be pretty good. I’m sure I will learn something from going over there. Playing against girls from another country will be a great experience. Having an opportunity to play in another country is going to be a great experience. Plus, it will be a chance to meet girls from other colleges who are on our team.”
Pavlovich played 49 games this season at Bucknell, a mark that tied for eighth on the school’s all-time, single-season list. She ranked ninth in the Patriot League with a .395 on-base percentage through the league playoffs.
“We made the playoffs for the first time since 2005,” Pavlovich said. “We had three great seniors that really led us. We were a really good group. We all got along really well and were tight-knit.”
During the regular season, Pavlovich, a switch hitter, batted .305 with two homers, 20 RBIs, four doubles and a triple. She had a .964 fielding percentage at third base and a .407 on-base percentage.
“She’s a gritty, hard-working tough softball player who will do whatever it takes to help her team win,” said Bucknell coach Heather Rakosik, whose Bison won 23 games, fourth-most in school history, and placed second in the Patriot League. “She’s not afraid to get dirty. Mary is one of the best third basemen in our league. She’s a great switch hitter who brings a lot to the plate.”
Those who followed Pavlovich at Richland might remember her best as a catcher. But playing third base at the collegiate level wasn’t a difficult adjustment.
“In high school, I caught every single game, but in summer ball I played third base primarily,” Pavlovich said. “It wasn’t like I was moving into a new position.”
Rakosik believes Pavlovich and her teammates will benefit from competing in Australia this summer.
“It’s a great opportunity,” the coach said. “Not a lot of kids get to do that. It’s great that she’s playing this summer. Every ball that she sees will make her a better player.”
She is the daughter of Max and Julie Pavlovich of Richland.
Local Sports
Former Richland star will play Down Under
- Local Sports
-
-
Penn State men absorb fifth straight loss
Penn State refused to be routed the first time No. 11 Michigan State had a chance to pull away for an easy victory.
The Nittany Lions, though, couldn’t stay consistent enough to keep their comeback hopes alive. -
South Florida rebounds with win over Pitt
South Florida’s Hugh Robertson combined a perfect night offensively with a stellar defensive performance that helped the Bulls rebound from their worst-ever Big East loss.
Robertson had a season-high 18 points and helped USF
(14-10, 7-4) hold Pittsburgh star Ashton Gibbs to a season-low four points in a 63-51 victory over the Panthers on Wednesday night. Augustus Gilchrist added 10 points for the Bulls, who lost by 30 points at Georgetown last weekend. -
High School Basketball in Brief
- Local sports in brief 2-9-2012
-
[VIDEO] Cory Berchick sets Township school mark, but Somerset wins the match
Jarod Feathers didn’t necessarily see this moment coming four years ago.
-
High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Tuesday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
-
Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers dominate Seton Hill
Pat Pecora picked up his NCAA Division II record 498th career victory on Tuesday night, but just like almost every other one, he saw some things that his Pitt-Johnstown wrestling team could improve upon.
-
Pens fall to Habs in shootout
Tomas Plekanec scored on Montreal’s eighth attempt in the shootout to lead the Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
-
Steelers make it official: Haley’s their man
The Steelers have named Todd Haley their new offensive coordinator.
-
Steelers press release on Todd Haley
PITTSBURGH ― The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator, it was announced today.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
