Behrend Softball Teams Selected to Repeat as AMCC Champions

Defending champion Penn State Behrend is the coaches' choice to win their fourth AMCC championship and third in four years. The Behrend Lions earned seven of 10 first place votes. Frostburg State, the 2008 tournament runners-up, are expected to challenge in the #2 spot, while last season's regular season champion Medaille College was ranked third.

The Behrend Lions Julie Koman (McKees Rocks, PA/Montour HS) was selected as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year. The senior righthander is a three-time first team all-conference selection. She was a key component of the Behrend Lions AMCC championship seasons in 2006 and 2008. In 2008 Koman led the league in all major pitching statistics, finishing the year with a 1.60 ERA with 156 strikeouts in 161.2 innings pitched, and was nationally ranked in wins and hits allowed. She posted a record of 20-6 while completing 14 games.

The blue and white will return eight seniors from the 2008 championship team.  Three time first team all-AMCC member Katie Whitby (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) brings back .388 batting average with 57 hits, seven triples and two homeruns.  Nikki Kaschauer (South Park, PA/South Park) was a second team all-conference selection in 2008.  She led the team with a .405 batting average and started last season with a 20 game hit steak.  Kaschauer would also led the AMCC in hits with 60 while scoring 34 runs and knocking in 34 RBI.

The Behrend Lions will begin play on March 8 in Clearwater, Florida. The AMCC kicks off conference play on Saturday, March 21, and the championship will be May 1-3 at the site of the top seed. The winner of the tournament will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.