Schlabach Hits the Right Marks for Delaware Tech Softball

In a Delaware Tech softball season full of offensive power statistics, Kandice Schlabach’s numbers helped her stand out above others.

Schlabach led the team in home runs with 17, was second in RBI with 59, and third in hits with 56. She batted .424 with a .453 on base percentage and .947 slugging percentage. She earned first team all-region honors for the second year in a row and was voted the team’s most valuable player.

“I wasn’t really expecting being named MVP,” Schlabach said. “But it made me feel good and let me know I did my job on the team this year to help us win.

“It felt extra important because my teammates voted for it, and it was nice to know my teammates viewed me as most valuable and appreciated everything I did.”

Her 17 home runs this season and her 10 as a freshman gave Schlabach 27 for her career, making her the first player in at least the past 10 seasons to hit more than 27 home runs in a two-year Delaware Tech softball career. She also became just the second two-year player during that same timeframe to reach 100 career hits.

“I got blessed with a good build for hitting home runs,” Schlabach said. “I have good bat speed and I use my legs and hips to generate all the power I can.

“It takes everything in me to hit the ball out, but I do my best to make sure I have all the power in my swing.”

She also provided a solid starting outfielder for the team in both seasons, splitting time between centerfield and right field.

“Being in the outfield you always need to know what’s going on in the game since you are the last line of defense,” she said. “You need to keep the ball in front of you, communicate with teammates, and trust in your fellow outfielders.”

Schlabach came to Delaware Tech after starring in both softball and basketball at Delmarva Christian High School. While she loves basketball, she said softball was always the sport she enjoyed the most and the one she always knew she would play in college.

“Every time I’m on the field, softball is all I’m worried about and nothing else matters,” Schlabach said. “I can just go have fun, meet great people, and make great friends. If I didn’t play softball there would’ve been a lot less things I would’ve experienced in life.”

Schlabach graduated with her degree in middle-level math education and is set to move on to Messiah University, where she will major in education while continuing her collegiate softball career. She said she was glad she came to Delaware Tech to start her college experience.

“I was definitely very happy with my two years,” she said. “I made so many good friends, had a fun time playing, learned a lot, and continued to get better.

“Overall I’d view it as very successful.”

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