By: Ethan Hulsey, Director of Athletic Communications
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MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - How quickly life changes. On Monday, March 9, the Millersville softball team swept a nondescript doubleheader from Jefferson in Philadelphia and returned to campus excited to depart on its annual spring break trip of 12 games in seven days in Clermont, Fla. But seemingly in an instant, the coronavirus pandemic, which for weeks resided in the background for busy college student-athletes, hit close to home.
News of positive cases multiplying and spreading changed the focus for everyone, and it changed by the hour. First, the spring break trip was canceled. Hours later, the NCAA announced the cancelation of all spring championships. On Friday morning, the PSAC ended the regular season as well.
At present, Americans in 49 of 50 states now deal with quarantine, illness, death and unknown. College student-athletes give up sport to curtail the spread of the virus.
Among those most impacted by the cancelation of the spring sports are seniors like Emma Bevard and Rebecca Blatt, who unknowingly played their final collegiate games at Jefferson. Poetically, Bevard went out with a three-hit, complete-game shutout, and Blatt, in her final at bat, doubled in a run in the top of the seventh to seal a 2-0 victory.
The 2020 Millersville softball season ended after just nine games, but in that short time, Bevard and Blatt took the reigns of leadership and unselfishly accepted new roles for the good of the team while continuing to produce at a high level.
With starting catcher Faith Willenbrock recovering from an offseason shoulder injury, Blatt, an All-PSAC East First Team shortstop two seasons ago and dealing with her own nagging injury, moved behind the plate despite not catching a single game in her collegiate career. In her first three seasons, Bevard worked as a reliever for 44 of her 76 appearances but as a senior, she was expected to take the ball in game one of each doubleheader and sometimes return as a reliever in game two.
Bevard and Blatt hold a special place in the heart of Millersville head coach Jen Probst as members of her initial recruiting class in 2015. The duo also played a significant role in helping Millersville to just its second-ever PSAC Tournament appearance. Emma Bevard won 20 games in
her three-plus seasons.
"Emma was my first commit in my first recruiting class here at Millersville," said Probst. "I can remember that phone call and the excitement I had to be adding her to the roster. I am so grateful for her and her family's decision to have her attend. She's made me a better pitching coach and left a lasting impression on our program. I will miss our technical and analytical pitching talks, being able to call five-plus curve balls in a row, our extra high high-fives, yelling 'yeah one-eight' from the bucket, and the fact I can safely say I have never seen anyone spin a ball like her."
Bevard appeared on her way to the best statistical season of her career in 2020, going 2-2 with a 2.89 ERA and 23 strikeouts to 10 walks in 26 2/3 innings pitched. She tossed complete games in the season-opening win against Le Moyne and against Jefferson last week. Her career totals include 266 2/3 innings pitched with a 20-20 record and 3.94 ERA. Bevard's 20 wins ranks 10th all-time at Millersville, and she certainly would have cracked the top 10 in other categories with a full senior season.
"She went out on top pitching two of the best games of her career, hitting spots and doing what she does best: spinning it," said Probst.
In addition to her on-field success, Bevard earned PSAC Scholar-Athlete status as sports medicine major while also picking up a minor in photography.
"Emma took on a challenging major and has improved her GPA throughout her time here," said Probst. "To see the way she works in the weight room and her ability to throw and throw as many pitches as we need both in practice and games is a true testament to the physical improvements shes made throughout her career. Emma has also grown her mental game. This is seen in her successful ability to be a starter, a closer and most importantly, a fantastic teammate always willing to lend a listening ear and pickup those around her." A team captain this year, Blatt
ranks second in home runs.
Before the 2020 season started, Probst lauded Blatt's focus and leadership saying "She has a goal to leave this team and program in a better place than where she found it."
A testament to her toughness, Blatt toughed out 141 career starts including 137 in a row despite dealing with lingering injuries the last two seasons. Blatt ranks second all-time with 17 career home runs and third in RBIs with 95. She also ranked 11th with 30 doubles and her 264 career assists were five shy of 10th place.
"Bec's best qualities have to be her integrity, her resilience and her faith," said Probst. "Those qualities have guided her to become the inspiring leader I have been proud to have as a captain. Her authenticity has allowed her to connect with each player and find a way to help them any way she can. She's helped me be a better coach with her desire to learn everything she can about the game, never being satisfied and going 110 percent every rep, everyday."
Blatt, a PSAC Scholar-Athlete, graduated with a degree in psychology in fewer than four years. She is currently enrolled in the sport management master's degree program.
"She remains one of our top performs each year in the classroom, a trait I am sure will carry through to grad school," said Probst. "She's been dealt adversity in so many forms and each time comes through stronger both mentally and physically than before. It has made her recognize opportunity and take full advantage of it every chance she gets. These last four years, what I have enjoyed most is teaching her the game, seeing her face as she comes around second after a monster home run, those crazy dives or impossible throws that only she can make, her selfless attitude to always do whats best for her team, and most of all the loyalty she's shown this program. I'm so grateful for the Blatt family's support and willingness to help with anything the program needs."
Even with five wins in nine games in the abbreviated 2020 season, Bevard and Blatt helped Millersville total 69 victories. While there was no official Senior Day ceremony send off, Bevard and Blatt's impact on the softball program will be remembered.
