INDIANA, Pa. — Megan McCormick is relaxed now.

The same can't be said for the pitchers who face her.

McCormick, a sophomore first baseman for the Indiana (Pa.) University women's softball team, is off to a prodigious start this season.

The Seneca Valley graduate has smashed six home runs, driven in 29 and is batting .444 through 23 games for the Crimson Hawks.

Her slugging percentage of .847 would make even Albert Pujols jealous.

"This year, I feel so good," McCormick said. "I don't know what it is. I don't know if it is getting used to being at college, the girls being so great and clicking, but I'm so comfortable."

That wasn't the case last season.

As a freshman, McCormick switched from catcher, where she played exclusively for Seneca Valley, to first base early in the season.

She also had to adjust to the regimented schedule of college, balancing course work with practices and games.

It wasn't easy, and McCormick said it wore on her at times.

"Last year, I was under so much stress," McCormick said. "This year, it's like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Able to breathe this season without the stressors that bogged her down as a freshman, McCormick has been able to play the game at the level that made her a state-recognized star in high school.

The results have been stunning.

In addition to her six home runs, McCormick also has lashed nine doubles and a triple.

She has been named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Central Division Player of the Week twice this season.

McCormick is on pace to break school records in home runs (nine), RBI (46) and doubles (13).

While she didn't set out to attack the record book, McCormick did set some lofty goals for herself at the start of the season.

"I set a goal to hit over .400 all season," she said.

Last year, McCormick batted .271, but also had five home runs and a team-leading .586 slugging percentage.

IUP went a disappointing 19-19, however.

As McCormick's numbers have soared this season, so has the Crimson Hawks win total.

IUP is off to a 20-3 start, including a recent double-header sweep of defending Division II national champion Lock Haven.

To some, the hot start has come as a surprise. Not to McCormick.

"When we started taking batting practice (before the season), I knew we would be good," McCormick said. "We have amazing, dominating hitters on this team."

Toss in a new coaching staff that shook things up, and the stage was set for a bounceback season.

Bill Graham took over the program in August and graduate assistant coach Megan Timpf has proved invaluable with her knack for diagnosing and fixing flaws in a player's swing.

Timpf, a former member of the Canadian Olympic team, has helped McCormick iron out a few kinks.

"Her and I work together constantly," McCormick said. "There was a game in Florida where I was terrible. It was probably the worst game of any I've had in my life — I was so down on myself. When we got back, (Timpf) looked at my swing, told me what I was doing, and the very next game I hit a home run. She's just incredible."

Timpf won't be at IUP next season, but her work with McCormick will continue.

"She said, 'Tape yourself and send it to me,'" McCormick said. "She's such a sweetheart."

That's not good news for the rest of the PSAC. McCormick looks to assault opposing pitching for years to come.

As long as she stays relaxed, that is.

"It's hard to play well when you are stressed out all the time," McCormick said. "You can't just come to the field, get your work in and have fun. Now, I'm doing that. I love it. It's fun again."