This season’s record: 13-2 overall

2012 season: 30-17 record (10-6 PSAC); second in PSAC West. The Knights reached the PSAC conference tournament where they lost to Bloomsburg University, 7-1, and Mercyhurst University 6-5.

Key Players lost (2012 statistics): 3B Ashley Petrone, started 44 games, .317 batting average, 31 RBIs tied for team lead; OF Jaleesa Sledge, started all 47 games, hit team-leading six home runs, third on team with .316 average; OF Katie Killian, started 41 games, hit .301.

Starting Lineup (2013 statistics through 15 games):

C — Alyssa Bates, freshman (.270 batting average, two doubles, 5 RBIs)/ Katie Dunn, sophomore (.250, one double, 4 RBIs)

1B — Caitlyn Colucci, sophomore (.229 average, one home run, 4 RBIs)

2B — Kirstie Cortazzo, junior (.432 average, four doubles, one home run, 15 RBIs)

3B — Kasey McKay, freshman (.171 average, three doubles, 5 RBIs)

SS — Samantha Scott, senior (.409 average, two home runs, 11 RBIs, 14 runs)

LF — Alexa Archambeault, freshman (.478 average, three home runs, five doubles, 13 RBIs)

CF — Jess Rectenwald, sophomore (.298 average, one home run, 8 RBIs)

RF — Meghan Cunha, sophomore (.237 average, one double, 6 RBIs)

Starting Rotation:

RHP — Megan Dragon, senior (7-1 record, 2.17 ERA, 48 1/3 innings pitched, 59 strikeouts)

RHP — Erica Bartholow, senior (5-0, 2.40, 35, 24)

LHP — Rectenwald (0-1, 5.25, 13 2/3, 10)

Key Games (opponents’ 2013 Records):

Mercyhurst (8-10 overall) — Away: March 29; Home: April 18

Calfornia University of Pennsylvania (14-0) — Away: April 12; Home: April 27

Edinboro (2-1) — Home: April 9; Away: April 26

*All dates are doubleheaders

Outlook:

Gannon is off to a phenomenal start, having won 13 of its first 15 games, all of which were non-conference.

The Knights are scheduled to play for the first time at home this season when they host Seton Hill for a doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Coach Tom Jakubowski, who won his 100th career game in Gannon’s 5-4 win over Bethel on March 10, said he has been impressed with his team so far.

“We’re off to a great start,” he said. “We’re very much a team. We’ve had somebody new step up almost every game.”

The Knights have especially excelled in close games, having already gone 7-1 in games decided by two or fewer runs.

Gannon’s experienced pitching staff, led by senior ace Megan Dragon, has been the hallmark of the team so far. Dragon, along with fellow senior Erica Bartholow, are both enjoying solid seasons so far.

“It’s good because you really need to have two strong starters to make a run at the PSAC championship,” Jakubowski said.

A large part of the Knights’ success can be attributed to a talented young group of players who have contributed this season. Six of Gannon’s eight position players are freshmen or sophomores.

Alexa Archambeault has been the best among the group, having already been named PSAC Player of the Week twice. The left fielder’s .478 average ranks second among all position players in the PSAC.

Junior second baseman Kirstie Cortazzo and senior captain and shortstop Samantha Scott are also each batting over .400.

Jakubowski said Gannon has its eye on the NCAA tournament.

“Conference games mean a lot to us, but we want to finish in the top eight in the Region and play into the second week in May,” he said.