AMCC Coaches Pick Penn State Behrend to Win a Third Straight Title

The Penn State Behrend Lions softball program was recently picked by the coaches of the Allegheny Mountian Collegiate Conference to continue their dominance and win a third consecutive conference crown.  The blue and white received seven out of the ten possible votes.

The Behrend Lions completed a perfect conference season at 18-0 a year ago on their way to their second consecutive AMCC title with a victory over Frostburg State.  The blue and white are an impressive 31-5 in the AMCC during the past two seasons and will take that momentum into the 2010 season.

The Behrend softball program will have to replace the likes of some of the best players to ever come through the system entering the season.  Sophomore pitcher Emma Hahn (Smethport/Smethport) returns as the odds on favorite for AMCC Pitcher of the Year.  Hahn had a tremendous rookie season going 10-4 with nine complete games.  Hahn also had an ERA of 1.51, had 91 strikeouts and tossed two no-hitters in the process.  Another young talent returning is sophomore catcher Amy Greene (Erie/Strong Vincent).  Greene had a steller first year as she was named AMCC Newcomer of the Year.  She was a First Team All-Conference selection batting .409 with 45 hits and 39 RBIs.  Greene was also named ECAC South Region Rookie of the Year.

Juniors Beth Paplia (Warren/Warren) and Maddie Weiser (Erie/Strong Vincent) return as the most experienced Behrend Lions on the roster.  Paplia started in 11 games a year ago while Weiser started in 26. 

AMCC regular season runner-up Mount Aloysius was picked to finish second while conference tournament runner-up Frostburg State was picked to finish third.

The Behrend softball team will open their season in Clermont, Florida on March 7 when they battle Lesley.  The blue and white will kick off their home schedule on March 29 when they take on non-conference opponent Thiel College.