The 2020 season will mark a changing of the guard for the Penn State Altoona softball program. Coming off of a season in which the team went 18-20 overall and 8-10 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, the Lady Lions' 15-player roster will be comprised of just five returners compared to 10 newcomers.

Leading the team's group of returning players are senior third baseman Abby Showers (Philipsburg, PA/Philipsburg-Osceola) and junior first baseman Olivia Miller (West Newton, PA/Yough), each of whom was listed in the "Players to Watch" category of the 2020 AMCC Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll. Showers and Miller were both second team All-AMCC selections last season, with Showers also being named an honorable mention player on the All-Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III team.

Last season, Showers was fourth in the AMCC in doubles (12), sixth in hits (48), eighth in on-base percentage (.442), ninth in total bases (62), and 10th in runs scored (30) and batting average (.384). Miller ranked fifth in the conference in doubles (11), eighth in home runs (2), 12th in hits (39), 14th in total bases (56), and 16th in runs batted in (20).

"We really have a short list of returners from last year, but I expect them to lead an incredibly talented group of newcomers to the program," said Penn State Altoona softball head coach Joe Merilli, who enters his fifth year with the program. "I expect another banner year from Abby and Olivia at the plate. We are moving Olivia from center field to first base, and she has worked hard to make that transition an easy one."

Three other players also return for Penn State Altoona. Junior middle infielder Jenna Myers (Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley) returns to the program for her third season after hitting .283 and providing solid glove work in 2018. Sophomore second baseman/right-handed pitcher Jayde Burge (Philipsburg, PA/Philipsburg-Osceola) played in 38 games as a freshman last season, driving in 12 runs while also throwing 25 innings in the circle. Sophomore catcher Abby Allenbaugh (Patton, PA/Cambria Heights) is also back, after appearing in 18 games during her freshman year last spring.

"You will see more of Jayde in the circle this year, and she has done an exceptional job of working during the offseason to be able to compete well there. Abby Allenbaugh will once again get some catching time and really does whatever we ask of her," Merilli explained. "Jenna is also back this year, and she solidifies the middle infield and brings another good bat to the lineup."

Penn State Altoona also welcomes 10 newcomers to the roster this season. That group is headed by a pair of transfers, sophomore catcher Kristen Hewitt (Coalport, PA/Glendale), who comes to Penn State Altoona from Division II Slippery Rock University, and sophomore outfielder Makenzie Lukehart (Utahville, PA/Glendale), who joins the program after playing at USCAA Penn State Dubois last year.

The eight other additions to the roster are freshmen: right-handed pitcher Casey Reese (Cresson, PA/Penn Cambria), first baseman/catcher Katie College (Davidsville, PA/Conemaugh Township), first baseman Kayla Davidson (Levittown, PA/Neshaminy), shortstop Corrie Barnett (Huntingdon, PA/Tussey Mountain), utility player Lydia Mock (Alum Bank, PA/Chestnut Ridge), and outfielders Kierra Moist (Altoona, PA/Altoona), Brooke Colledge (Everett, PA/Everett), and Madison Lucas (Philipsburg, PA/Philipsburg-Osceola).

"I really expect most of our newcomers to contribute from the beginning. We have one of the most talented groups of newcomers to the program since I've been here," Merilli stated. "Speed will be a factor for this team this year, as we have plenty of it. Our outfield – all newcomers – will be very special in the field. We are working out our middle infield a bit, and we feel we have really good upgrades behind the plate and in the batter's box, also."

Merilli sees the team's lineup sorting itself out, complementing players' strengths and performances.

"With all the new pieces, we are going to put the best players in positions in the lineup to succeed," he said. "We have a nice mix of speed and power on this team, and we will need to utilize those skills throughout the lineup. From the fall, and so far in practices, we really don't see too many holes in the lineup."

In the circle, the Lady Lions will lean on Burge and Reese to carry the load. Burge made eight appearances at pitcher last season, going 2-1 while making three starts, including pitching one complete game. Reese will be counted on to step in and pitch well right away in her first season of collegiate softball.

"Casey comes in as a freshman and has looked really good. With her and Jayde in the circle, I think we are in good shape," said Merilli. "My only worry is that we are not as deep as I'd like to be. But, barring injuries, we should be in good hands with Casey and Jayde."

In the field, Penn State Altoona was solid last year. The Lady Lions tied for the second-fewest errors committed in the AMCC, and their team fielding percentage of .952 ranked third-best in the conference. Merilli expects his newcomers to help the team improve upon those numbers this spring.

"This may be the fastest and most talented outfield we have seen at Penn State Altoona in a long time. All are newcomers and I expect great things from that group," he said. "We will be solid in the infield and behind the plate, as well. I like our chances to have one of the better defensive teams here at Penn State Altoona in years."

Lady Lions softball opens its 2020 season schedule with a doubleheader at Bridgewater College (Va.) on Saturday, February 22 at 1:00 p.m. After that, the team will travel to central Florida over spring break, March 8-13, to play 10 games against Division III teams from around the country in The Spring Games.

"We start out very difficult with a doubleheader at Bridgewater, who is really good, and then we play a really tough spring break schedule of 10 games in the Orlando area," said Merilli. "It will be both a test of our pitchers and our young team. I have confidence that this group will do well and learn from the experience to make a good run in the conference."

After its Florida trip, Penn State Altoona returns to Pennsylvania and will get into the heart of its schedule, facing AMCC opponents, along with some additional non-conference games. After finishing in sixth last spring and being projected to place seventh in this year's preseason poll, Merilli and his assistant coaches, Phil Barroner and Jeff McNelis, are optimistic that the young team can exceed expectations around the league.

"Once we get a few games under us, I fully expect us to really compete well without our conference, and, if things gel well, bring home another AMCC flag," Merilli said. "It will take a lot of hard work, but this group has done nothing but show the coaches and I that they have that drive in them."