Greater Allegheny Softball Recognized by the PSUAC

University Park, Pa. - The Penn State Greater Allegheny women's softball team alongside their coaching staff were recognized in the Penn State University Athletic Conference All-Conference Awards for their outstanding 14-10, 12-8 PSUAC 2013-14 season. 

Sophomore shortstop Ashley Lowenstein (San Jose, Calif./Presentation) earned herself the First-Team All-Conference award, as she assisted her team not only at shortstop, but also in the batters box. In the field, Lowenstein had 69 putouts, assisting in 54 other plays and in three double plays. At the plate, Ashley saw 78 at bats, connecting for 39, 34 runs scored and 20 runs batted in to lift the Greater Allegheny tally. She also had twelve doubles, one triple and three home runs for an overall batting average of .500.

Lowenstein was recently recognized in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Softball Honorable Mention All-American for her efforts in the 2013-14 season. To check out the full release click here.

Freshman catcher Kasey Dansak (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) also earned herself the First-Team All-Conference accolade, as she boosted Greater Allegheny both behind the dish and in the box. Through 22 games, Dansak had 45 total putouts with 39 assists and one double play. She saw 83 at bats, connecting on 44 hits, tallying 30 runs and batting in 28 others. Dansak boosted her team with eleven doubles, one triple and four homeruns for an overall batting average of .530.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher/outfielder Shelby Bendick (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport) was recognized as Second-Team All-Conference for her efforts not only in the outfield and in the batters box, but also on the mound. Shelby had 74 at bats, getting 27 hits, 17 runs scored and 30 runs batted in. Bendick hammered eleven doubles and one home run with an overall average of .365. Through 22 games, Bendick had 26 putouts and 20 double plays in the outfield. Bendick pitched 71 innings through thirteen games for an overall record of 6-5. 

Freshman Marina Rinaldi (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia High School for Girls) earned the distinction of Honorable Mention All-Conference, as she assisted her team in not only the field, but also at the plate. Marina had 23 putouts with nine assists and three double plays. With 67 at bats, Rinaldi had 19 hits, scoring 18 times and batting in 24 others. She hit two doubles and six home runs for an overall batting percentage of .284 to lift the Greater Allegheny offense. 

Head coaches Amanda Maksin and Jen Smith were honored as Penn State University Athletic Conference Head Coaches of the Year for their efforts in their run through the 2013-14 season. The coaches mentored their team to a 14-10, 12-8 PSUAC playoff berth, their first since the 2008 season. 

To check out the full article, click here.