Leon will enter the role following former head coach Greg Nye's retirement after 31 years.
The 13 student-athletes traveling to this season's championships mark the largest showing of Nittany Lions since 2017.
A go-ahead Lexie Black home run was almost enough for the Nittany Lions, however, Indiana pulled off a walk-off victory in nine innings Thursday afternoon.
Strange was the second Nittany Lion off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Nittany Lions will play their first match of the NCAA Tournament at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, at George Mason's EagleBank Arena.
"I think all of our guys are really excited to bring back this EIVA Championship to where it belongs."