The 2022 Penn State Mont Alto softball team comes into this season with a lot of returning production with some new key additions looking to build off a strong 2020-21 campaign. Last year's squad advanced to the PSUAC Championship, losing to Penn State Brandywine 8-0. They also earned a berth in the USCAA Small College World Series, going 0-2 in the tournament. Optimism is high for another successful season in 2022.
KEY RETURNERS
OF/1B #23 McKenna Sas
Sas had a tremendous offensive season in 2021 hitting .505 with a team-high five home runs to go along with 35 runs batted in. She led the team in many offensive categories. Sas was named PSUAC West Division Newcomer of the Year last season and was also a member of the PSUAC West Division 1st Team All-Conference. Following the season, Sas was recognized as a first-team USCAA All-American.
OF/P #20 Kirsten Dell
Dell had the second most hits on the team last season with 36, batting .353 with seven doubles and 18 RBI. Dell also appeared in 16 games in the circle, starting 15 as a pitcher for Penn State Mont Alto. She pitched 77.2 innings with a 4.60 earned run average. She leads the team in K per seven innings with 5.05 amongst returning production. Dell was named the PSUAC West Pitcher of the Year last season and was a member of the PSUAC West Division 1st Team All-Conference. Following the season, Dell was recognized as a second-team USCAA All-American.
C #1 Chelsea Cover
Cover returns with the third most hits on the team with 31, she batted .337 last season with a .370 slugging percentage. Cover led the team in stolen bases with 13. She was named an PSUAC All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2021.
UTIL/P #16 Skye Herring
Herring had one of the better batting averages on the team at .353. In her 85 at-bats last season, she recorded 30 hits.
IF #26 Destiny Hall
Hall will be looked upon as one of the main offensive pieces in 2022. In 2021, she batted .308 with 17 RBI. Hall was a member of the PSUAC West Division 1st Team All-Conference last season.
2B #7 Emily Sicinski
Sicinski will provide the other half of the middle infield pairing with Destiny Hall. Sicinski batted .222 last season with a home run and 19 RBI.
UTIL/P #18 Haley Dawson
Dawson appeared in 10 games as a pitcher last season with a 2.70 earned run average. She struck out 19 in 36.1 innings pitched.
OF #4 Chloe Sullivan
Sullivan appeared in 18 games last season, recording nine hits in 28 at-bats for a .321 average. She also drove in nine runs.
P #8 Katie McCauslin
McCauslin made eight pitching appearances last season. She pitched 36.1 innings, allowing a 5.78 ERA.
OF #13 Riley Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald recorded eight at-bats in 2021, registering one hit for a .125 batting average.
C #22 Payton Watkins
Watkins will play a pivotal role behind home plate for Penn State Mont Alto this upcoming season. She appeared in 6 games her sophomore season but her role will increase in 2022. She had a .250 on-base percentage in nine plate appearances a year ago. Watkins was Penn State Mont Alto's John Fritz Sportsmanship Award recipient. The John Fritz Sportsmanship Award is given to one student-athlete on each sports team that best displays good sportsmanship and demonstrates ethical, appropriate, polite and fair behavior while participating in athletic events and as a member of their team.
NEWCOMERS
OF/DH #5 Alivia Payne
Payne comes to Penn State Mont Alto after playing her high school softball at Northeastern High School. She will be looked upon as a utility player in the field and can bring some power to the Penn State Mont Alto offense in 2022.
P #6 MacKenzie Stake
Stake will be looked upon to be one of the pitching rotational pieces in 2022. She played her high school ball at nearby Chambersburg High School. She brings a high-level attitude and looks to be one of the key two-way players for Coach Newell this season.
3B/UTIL #10 Brooklyn Miller
Miller is also from nearby Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and will look to provide depth at the 'hot corner' this season. She is an excellent fielder and is willing to provide support wherever needed this season.
2B/UTIL #15 Courtney Smith
Smith is from New Oxford High School and will look to be a key piece for Penn State Mont Alto moving forward. She is a good contact hitter who has a wide variety of talents which will be on display this spring.
C/1B #33 Jaylin Belton
Belton brings a great attitude to the team and is always in communication with her pitching staff as she will look to be a part of the catching tandem this season. She will also serve in the utility role and will be looked upon to bring an offensive spark as well. Belton played her high school softball at West York High School in York, Pennsylvania.
Penn State Mont Alto will open its home season against Corning Community College this Saturday, March 12 with game times at 1 and 3 p.m.
