Penn State Altoona softball is poised for another strong spring, as the Lions enter the 2026 season with hopes of another run deep into the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference tournament.

The team is coming off of a highly successful 2025 season, in which it went 22-16 overall, including a 10-6 record within the AMCC that gave the Lions the number one seed in the conference playoffs. Penn State Altoona went on to reach the AMCC Championship game, where it lost to Pitt-Greensburg.

The 2026 edition of the Penn State Altoona softball team features a truly balanced roster of returners and newcomers, with the Lions' 15-player crew comprised of eight returners and seven newcomers. The biggest changes for the team will come in the batting order, which will feature plenty of new faces following the graduation of several key hitters from last year. The pitching circle holds the foundation of the team, as Penn State Altoona returns two of the conference's top hurlers.

Head coach Bill Graham, who is entering his fifth season with the program, feels good about his team's prospects for success this year.

"Overall, I am excited for the season to begin," he said. "We have great attitudes, and even though we lost quite a bit offensively, I feel we can score runs and be very competitive. Our schedule will challenge us, but we will get better, more experienced, and look to get back to the conference postseason for the fourth time in the last five years."

Penn State Altoona's biggest strength figures to be its pitching, as the Lions return junior right-hander Josselyn Nau (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) and sophomore righty Madison Kennedy (Williamsburg, PA/Central). Nau was a second-team All-AMCC selection last season, leading the conference in starts (20), wins (13), and complete games (19) while being second in shutouts (3), innings pitched (132 1/3), and earned run average (2.70). Kennedy earned third-team all-conference honors last spring, when she ranked third in the AMCC in opponent batting average (.244) and earned run average (3.06), sixth in wins (8), and eighth in innings pitched (84 2/3).

"Josselyn has been a solid pitcher for two years now and has the drive to get even better. You know when she takes the circle she can give you a complete game any time out. We really like what she brings from a talent and competitive standpoint and know she will get it done," said Graham. "Madison is a little different style, a harder thrower. She gave us big innings last year, and combined with Josselyn, they are one of the top two duos in the conference."

The Lions' offense will see the biggest turnover from last season. With most of the team's top hitters in 2025 graduating last year, Penn State Altoona will showcase a new-look lineup that will include a mix of newcomers and returners.

"Our lineup will be different this year for sure. Losing so many starters from last year's team is a big switch," Graham said. "But we have more power ability this season, which hopefully can translate into more runs. Our ability to get on base is what will determine how well the offense goes. We will use the early part of the season to see where we fit in the lineup and use the southern trip to figure it out."

Senior shortstop Karli Storm (Chest Springs, PA/Cambria Heights) leads Penn State Altoona's returning hitters, coming off of a season in which she was a second-team All-AMCC pick and led the conference in walks drawn (29) while also ranking second in on-base percentage (.519), eighth in batting average (.382), and 16th in hits (39). Sophomores Haleigh Peters (Lock Haven, PA/Central Mountain), Carly Hutchinson (Wayne, PA/Conestoga), Lauren Davidson (Clearfield, PA/DuBois Central Catholic), Allison Beeman (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone), Autumn Fabian (Edgewater, MD/South River), and Kennedy are also back from last season and will contribute in the batting order and in the field.

"Karli Storm had a great offensive season last year. She brings five-tool ability to the lineup, and whether she's just getting on base or knocking in runs, she is a weapon for us. Lauren Davidson had a great freshman year and had three game-winning RBIs for us. Good things seem to follow her," said Graham. "Allison Beeman got several big hits for us as a freshman, as well, and has really good power. Carly Hutchinson gave us quality innings with a few big plays and a game-winning hit at home versus Juniata. Haleigh Peters is a threat any time on base and covers a lot of ground in the outfield. It's amazing how many balls she can get to. Autumn Fabian is going to help us behind the plate and in the field as well. We look forward to their contributions and know they will be counted on to lead us."

The Lions will also count on several first-year players to step in and contribute right away, as the team welcomes junior infielder Audrey Walker (Mill Hall, PA/Central Mountain), junior outfielder/right-handed pitcher Riley Best (Coalport, PA/Glendale), sophomore utility player Gracie Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona), sophomore first baseman/right-handed pitcher Kendal Wadsworth (Johnstown, PA/Richland), sophomore catcher Olivia Werkheiser (Easton, PA/Wilson Area), sophomore infielder Kara Lansberry (Williamsburg, PA/Williamsburg Community), and freshman outfielder Alexa Baney (Snow Shoe, PA/Bald Eagle) to the roster.

"I'm thankful that our newcomers will bring some game experience and proven histories. Riley Best coming from Lock Haven provides a good bat and solid defense for us in the outfield, and she is also capable of giving us quality innings in the circle. Gracie Wilt is an athletic, team-first player who gives us energy in practice and excitement on the field. Her ability to play multiple positions is very valuable," Graham stated. "Kendal Wadsworth will give us time at first base and will be a good bat off the bench, and she can also give us quality innings pitched. Audrey Walker comes from a championship-winning team last year and is versatile enough to contribute at a couple of different places for us. All together, they add depth, talent, and experience for our squad."

"Our freshmen also will get a lot of time in the field," Graham continued. "Alexa Baney is an outfielder who can hit in a few places for us and is capable of setting the table or cleaning it up. Olivia Werkheiser will do a lot of catching and is working well with the pitchers. She also can produce a lot of power in her swing. Kara Lansberry has a big bat and arm, and she is versatile in the field. We look forward to seeing her hit."

Penn State Altoona softball opens its 2026 schedule on the road Wednesday, February 25, with a doubleheader at non-conference opponent Waynesburg University starting at 1 p.m.