Lorie (Erie) Schmalzle

One of the most dynamic offensive players to ever wear a Lehigh Valley girls softball uniform, Erie-Schmalzle made a major impact at both Whitehall High and Kutztown University.

As a Zephyrette, she was an All-East Penn Conference selection for four consecutive years from 1987-90. She led the team in all offensive categories and compiled over 100 hits, 100 RBIs, and 100 runs scored in her career. In 1989, she helped Whitehall win the District 11 title and was the Zephyr Award winner as Whitehall's best player in 1990.

Erie-Schmalzle's career reached greater heights at Kutztown, where she set five school records. Among her records were Golden Bears marks for doubles (44), hits (215), runs (168) and steals (140) in a career.She also became the single-season record holder for steals ina season with 51 in 1994.

During her four seasons at, KU won 100 games and had a winning percentage oof .633. She started 163 of 166 games over her career and was named first-team All-PSAC East and Kutztown's Female Athlete of the Year in 1994. She led all NCAA Division II players in stolen bases and led KU with a career best .450 batting average in 1994.

Erie only played 11 games in the 1995 season after suffering a knee injury, but she bounced back in the following season by earning All-PSAC East second team, first team Mid-Atlantic All-Region, and second team National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America honors. She was also named the KU Female Senior Athlete of the Year.

After her playing career was over, Erie-Schmalzle became a successful head coach at Leberty High School before leaving the Lehigh Valley area for a new home in Lake Wallenpaupack wherre she and her husband, Todd, are raising three children.