DUBOIS, Pa. - The No. 2 seed Penn State Altoona softball team's 2026 season came to an end on Saturday afternoon, when the Lions were defeated by No. 1 seed Penn State Behrend in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championship at Rose and Dennis Heindl Memorial Field.  

Penn State Altoona (24-16) fell behind early in the game, trailing by four runs after three innings and falling behind 8-1 after five. Penn State Altoona attempted a comeback in the sixth and seventh innings, scoring six runs to make it 8-7, but it would not be enough as Penn State Behrend (28-11) held its lead to win the AMCC Championship. 

Madison Kennedy (Williamsburg, PA/Central) hit 2-for-4, having a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored. Olivia Werkheiser (Easton, PA/Wilson Area) went for 2-for-3 and had two RBI and a run scored.  

Josselyn Nau (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) started in the circle for the Lions, pitching three innings and yielding three earned runs. Kennedy pitched three innings in relief, striking out one batter while only conceding one earned run.  

Penn State Behrend started the game out on the front foot, with Chloe Nale hitting a home run in the bottom of the first inning to give Behrend a 1-0 lead. Behrend added to their lead in the bottom of the second and third innings, scoring three runs to take a 4-0 lead.  

The Lions broke Behrend's domination of the game in the top of the fourth inning, scoring their first run of the game. Karli Storm (Chest Springs, PA/Cambria Heights) ran home following a groundout by Lauren Davidson (Clearfield, PA/DuBois Central Catholic).  

Penn State Behrend continued to press on. Taking advantage of the bases being loaded, Behrend scored another run to make it 5-1. They would then add three more runs to go into the top of the sixth inning with a seven-run lead.  

Despite the deficit, Penn State Altoona fought back in the top of the sixth. Kennedy scored the Lions' first run of the inning following a walk by Kendal Wadsworth (Johnstown, PA/Richland). Haleigh Peters (Lock Haven, PA/Central Mountain) and Davidson scored after a single by Werkheiser. A groundout from Alexa Baney (Snow Shoe, PA/Bald Eagle) led to Audrey Walker (Mill Hall, PA/Central Mountain) running home, and a single from Gracie Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona) allowed Werkheiser to score, cutting Penn State Behrend's lead to just two runs heading into the bottom of the sixth.  

Penn State Altoona scored another run in the top of the seventh inning through a Kennedy solo home run, but Penn State Behrend slammed the door on a comeback, getting the third out to get the victory in the championship. 

Penn State Altoona softball finishes its season with a 24-16 overall record. The Lions were 12-4 in the AMCC during the regular season, placing second in the standings. 

The AMCC's individual postseason awards are expected to be announced this upcoming week.