COLLEGE: NEB'S SUSANJ HAS STRONG FIRST SEASON AT MISERICORDIA (2023-06-10)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
NEB graduate Emily Susanj was a star on the softball diamond in the NTL, but as she made her move to college, she knew she needed to step up her game. As the season went on Susanj found her form, and eventually helped her team win a conference title, and reach the NCAA Division-III Tournament.

“It was very difficult to find my place on a brand new team,” Susanj explained. “I walked into a group of 25 girls, not knowing a single one of them. It is certainly an uncomfortable experience, but as time went on, I became closer with all of the girls, and created some wonderful friendships.”

Susanj was a part time catcher for the Cougars, starting 11 games and getting 39 at bats as they went 27-13 on the season.

She was effective in her plate appearances, though, hitting .308 on the year with a home run, two doubles, and 7-RBI.

“I was amazing,” she said about hitting her first collegiate home run. “I was unsure how the season was going to go, and I kept my expectations low. However, I found that with every at bat I became more and more prepared for the next pitch, and it just so happened that I ended up hitting over .300 with a home run. I knew I was hitting well, but I did not really watch my stats, so to end up with those offensive stats at the end of my freshman year was great.”

She played in all three games of the MAC Freedom Championships, even getting an RBI in the title game as they defeated Lycoming 4-0 to win the conference title. They out scored their opponents 13-1 over the three contests.

“Winning the conference championship was such a memorable moment for me and my team,” Susanj said. “We had worked so hard in the fall and spring so to end the season with such a great accomplishment was all worth it.”

The win earned them a spot in the NCAA Division-III softball tournament.

“Earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament certainly made me nervous, but a the same time, I was so excited to have the opportunity to play in a such a competitive environment,” explained Susanj.

In the NCAA Tournament they lost their first game to Roanoke 3-0, but then came back to beat York College 7-0 to stay alive. They had beaten York twice earlier in the season.

“When we got the win in the NCAA Tournament I was beyond excited,” Susanj said. “We had played York previously, and both games were close, so to beat them while also staying alive in the tournament meant a lot. The experience of getting a win at the NCAA Tournament is like no other. It makes you feel like all of the hard work had finally paid off.”

They would lose to Roanoke again to end their season, but they have a lifetime of memories to take away from it.

“Some of my best memories from this season were bus rides with my teammates, team lifts, and getting the opportunity to play at such a high level,” said Susanj. “This year was truly so special to me.”

This sets a high bar going into next season for Susanj.

“To prepare for next year I am still playing the game that I love, and practicing all of the aspects of the game that I did not feel as competent in this year,” she said. “I am remaining excited and eager for next season.”

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