PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The West Chester University softball team has its eyes on a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title. The Golden Rams will take on Seton Hill in a best-of-three series starting Friday in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
West Chester is led by fifth-year infielder Bri Garber, who is winding down a remarkable career.
Garber is a career .401 hitter — the second-highest career average in program history. She is West Chester’s all-time leader in hits (312), runs scored (218), and games played (239). She is in the top five in program history in triples (19), walks (81), and RBI (134).
But Garber’s record-breaking isn’t limited to just the program. She became the PSAC’s all-time leader for hits in a career on May 6, with a fourth-inning RBI double in a quarterfinal win over Shepherd — a record she didn’t immediately realize she had set.
“After I had the hit, my coach walked out to me and I was really confused. I was like, ‘Does she want my arm guard? Is she calling timeout?’ ” Garber recalled. “She’s walking out to me and then the announcer announced it. So I knew after the hit, but I did not realize prior to the hit.”
There was a time when it seemed like there may not even be a season for Garber and the Golden Rams due to the coronavirus pandemic, so just getting to play — let alone set records — has meant a lot to Garber.
“I’ve definitely gained so much appreciation for the sport and for being able to play with my teammates every day,” she said.
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There is still work to do for Garber, but she has taken a step back to reflect on her time with the program.
“I have started to sit back and look back over the years as it’s coming to an end, look back at all the good times and all the good memories,” she said. “Pretty happy with how everything’s gone. Of course, there are times where we fall short and don’t do as well, but we’ve had so much success, so many team accomplishments that it’s all been so worth it and really exciting to look back upon.”
The first game of the West Chester vs. Seton Hill PSAC Championship series is set for 4 p.m. on Friday.