Greater Allegheny Softball Ready to Begin the 2014 Season

Posted: Mar 27, 2014

McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny women's softball team returns in 2014 looking to improve upon a stiff 2013 campaign. The Lady Lions were able to grab four victories, but return many key players and will look to talented transfers and freshman to uplift their upcoming season.

Entering the 2014 campaign, coaches Amanda Maksin and Jen Smith will be sharing the title of head coach of Greater Allegheny's softball program. "Jen has been with me since the beginning, turning aspiring athletes with limited experience into solid stand-outs," said Maksin. "A big thank you is dedicated to her knowledge and training in pitching, which has assisted in seeing progress in viable starters."

Leadership from the seasoned Greater Allegheny veterans proves vital through this small, competitive team in ways of leading in practice and encouraging their fellow teammates to give all they've got. "Our girls this season all have great attitudes, work hard and make coaching so much fun, and they know when to get down to business," said co-head coach Jen Smith. "I am sure we are going to be more competitive than they think possible. As long as they keep a positive attitude, communicate and give 110% every time they step on the field, winning is a possibility in every game."

Greater Allegheny welcomes more upperclassmen this season to the squad. This is the first year under coach Maksin that she will have a student-athlete with the team with a four-year degree through GA, senior Samantha Segiel (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin), who started with the squad when she was a freshman. Segiel pitched 63 innings last year, earning 29 strikes. Junior Shelby Bendick (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport Area) threw alongside Segiel for 46 innings with 26 strikes.

"All of the women-athletes on the team are gaining skills and improving on pitching, as Segiel sits in the number one chair," says co-head coach Amanda Maksin. "A lot of people are stepping up and filling slots based on our needs on and off the field."

Junior Jordyn Holsing (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) has the glove for centerfield alongside the speed needed to field the position, but is showing more at second base. "She is great at adapting and has a great attitude about everything, making the transition that much easier," said Maksin. "There will be a lot of moving positions to try and see who fits best, where." Holsing 44 put-outs with a fielding percentage of .892.

Sophomore Ashley Lowenstein (San Jose, Calif./Presentation) returns from last season with the honor of 2^nd Team Honorable Mention from the PSUAC All-Conference team alongside being tagged as an USCAA Softball Honorable Mention All-American athlete. She recorded 39 hits off of 71 at bats, 21 of them bringing home tallies, finishing 2013 with a batting average of .549. The team brings back two Academic All-Conference players from the past and welcomes many student-athletes with the potential to earn the same.

Junior Kelli Hall (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport Area) returns to the team leading her team in fielding, as she dished out 101 put-outs with a percentage of .947. Bendick led the team last year with RBIs (17), as well as bringing home 16 runs.

"This team is showing genuine competition between positions everyday. With the talented freshman and newcomers alongside the progress through the years, we look forward to a better year for the Penn State Greater Allegheny softball team," said Maksin.

Greater Allegheny looks to begin their season on Saturday, March 29 against Penn State University Athletic Conference foe, Penn College. The double-header is scheduled at Woodland Hills for a 2 p.m. first pitch.