Published: June 10, 2008 11:34 pm            

Former Richland star will play Down Under

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.

        

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