Lions Picked to Finish Second in Preseason Poll

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's softball team was chosen to finish in second place in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC), according to the preseason voting by the league's head coaches.

The Lions are looking to secure their ninth AMCC title after falling to Franciscan in the AMCC playoffs last season. The Barons are expected to finish third while reigning champs Mount Aloysius is expected to finish first.

Players to watch for Behrend were senior Alayna Derzak (Seven Fields, PA/Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic) and junior Mackenzie McIntire (Stoneboro, PA/Lakeview). Derzak was named First Team All-Conference in 2019. She was second in the team in base percentage (.478) and third in batting average (.385) and RBIs (29). McIntire earned Second Team All-Conference last season. She led the team in batting average (.463), on base percentage (.483), slugging percentage (.646), and doubles (15).

The AMCC tournament will be held May 1-3 at the site of the #1 seed, with the winner earning the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Pre-Season Ranking*

1. Mount Aloysius (2)
2. Penn St. Behrend (1)
3. Franciscan (T3)
4. Pitt-Bradford (T3)
5. D'Youville (5)
6. Medaille (T6)
7. Penn St. Altoona (T6)
8. Pitt-Greensburg (8)
9. La Roche (9)
10. Hilbert (10)
11. Alfred State ** 

*Number in parenthesis is order of regular season finish in 2019
** 2020 will be the Pioneers' first season in the AMCC