Heading into its 2024 season, the Penn State Altoona softball team will look to carry over its success from last spring, when the Lions achieved their third Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference title in program history.

Penn State Altoona went 11-3 within the AMCC during the 2023 regular season, and the Lions secured the third seed going into the conference postseason tournament. From there, the team reeled off victories over Pitt-Greensburg, Pitt-Bradford, La Roche University, and Mount Aloysius College to reach the championship series against top-seeded Penn State Behrend. Penn State Altoona defeated Behrend on its home field in back-to-back games, clinching the Lions' third AMCC championship win and NCAA postseason appearance.

Head coach Bill Graham, who enters his third season with the Penn State Altoona softball program, is optimistic that last season's championship experience will carry over to this year.

"It was very exciting to catch fire in the tourney last year. The group really put it together at the right time. We talked all year long about building towards that part of our season," he explained. "We should have the same mindset going into this year. Having that experience is a good thing, too. Different situations shouldn't faze them, and that factor should be an advantage for us."

Penn State Altoona returns seven players from last year's AMCC Tournament-winning roster: senior outfielder Brooke Colledge (Everett, PA/Everett), senior utility player Cameryn Feathers (Martinsburg, PA/Central), junior infielder/right-handed pitcher Alyssa Fisher (Lock Haven, PA/Central Mountain), junior infielder Gianna Hoppel (Lewistown, PA/Mifflin County), junior third baseman Hanna Lauck (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte), sophomore middle infielder/right-handed pitcher Madalyn Maynard (Towanda, PA/Towanda), and sophomore shortstop Karli Storm (Chest Springs, PA/Cambria Heights).

"I am enjoying the returners and what they bring," said Graham. "I know what they are capable of, but more importantly, they know what they are capable of. It's nice knowing you have certain players with their experience being able to stand out. It definitely helps writing out the lineup."

Six of Penn State Altoona's seven returners were voted to various teams on the AMCC All-Conference list last season.

Feathers, Lauck, and Colledge were first-team All-AMCC picks last spring, with Feathers also receiving second-team All-Region VII honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and being selected the AMCC's 2024 Preseason Player of the Year. In 2023, Feathers led the AMCC in hits (53), total bases (85), batting average (.495), on-base percentage (.553), and slugging percentage (.794). Colledge was second in the conference in runs (37), third in hits (50), and fifth in doubles (10) and total bases (70), while Lauck was tops in the league in runs batted in (35) while also being third in doubles (11).

Storm was a second-team all-conference selection last season, when she led the AMCC in walks (19) and was third in RBI (31) and fifth in on-base percentage (.478). Hoppel and Fisher were both third-team picks, with Hoppel finishing third in the conference in walks (17) and fourth in hits (49) and on-base percentage (.479) and Fisher ranking first in runs scored (40), second in hits (51), and third in doubles (11). Meanwhile, Maynard also returns this season after being eighth in the AMCC in home runs (3) and 11th in RBI (24) last spring.

All seven returners are expected to again hold down regular spots in the batting order this season.

"We had so many players get a high amount of at-bats last year, getting that real game experience. The good thing about our lineup is being able to stretch it out over a game," said Graham. "With Alyssa, Brooke, Gianna, and Cam, that's about as good a top four as there is in the conference. But it's the next half of the order with Karli, Hanna, and Maddie that really helps to turn it over. I expect our newcomers to pick up on that."

In addition to the returners, Penn State Altoona welcomes four additions to its roster this season. Junior utility player Brianna Bone (Morrisdale, PA/West Branch) and sophomore utility player Madison Sitarek (Sykesville, MD/Century) both join the Lions after transferring from Penn State DuBois, while freshman catcher Jordan Krawcion (Johnstown, PA/Central Cambria) and freshman right-handed pitcher Josselyn Nau (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) each enter their first year of collegiate softball.

The team's pitching will be a blend of returners and newcomers. Fisher leads the way in the circle, after having ranked sixth in the AMCC last season in innings pitched (93 2/3), wins (6), and shutouts (1) while also being seventh in starts (17) and complete games (10). Maynard, who made two appearances at pitcher last season, will also be in the mix for innings, as will first-year members Bone and Nau.

"Right now, we are looking at pitchers being able to go a little at a time," Graham explained. "Alyssa brings the experience and knows how to win at this level. Hopefully, Maddie, Josselyn, and Brianna can give us quality innings. It's nice to have an offense that can help out, too."

Penn State Altoona softball opens its season in Florida, as the Lions will return to compete in the Fort Myers-area Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic for the first time since the 2019 season. From March 6-11, Penn State Altoona is scheduled to compete in a total of 10 games against non-conference teams from around the country, starting with matchups against Rockford University and Bethany College on Wednesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

After that, the Lions return to Pennsylvania for their home opener on Thursday, March 14, a doubleheader against non-conference opponent Grove City College starting at 3 p.m. Penn State Altoona dives into its AMCC schedule during April, starting with road games at La Roche University on Wednesday, April 3.

Graham hopes that this year's team can perform well in all areas, as it did during last season's AMCC title run.

"Our motto last year was 'keep it simple,' and that's what we have to do this year, too," he said. "I like where our offense is right now, and in our limited workouts, our defense has been good, too. We need to continue to hit, run the bases well, and just put ourselves in positions to get outs and score runs. There are no secrets to playing well. I feel we are up to the challenge, and the team is looking forward to it, as well."