Four Lions honored with PSUAC Softball All-Conference accolades

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - Four members of the Penn State New Kensington softball team have been named to the Penn State University Athletic Conference All-Conference teams.  Riplee Burkhart (Verona, Pa./Penn Hills), Natalie Heltebran (Irwin, Pa./Hempfield), and  Calle Zmenkowski (Cheswick, Pa./Fox Chapel) were included on the PSUAC West Division First Team while Molly Collins (Verona, Pa./Riverview) earned honorable mention. 

Burkhart, a senior shortstop, leads the team in batting average for the season at .365. One of the top middle infielders in the league, she also has 23 hits and 13 RBIs this year.

Heltebran has had a standout freshman campaign and currently sits at fifth in the conference in RBIs with 25. Batting .361 on the season, the outfielder is also fourth in doubles with nine and sixth in home runs with three. 

Zmenkowski has been a strong contributor from the mound and at the plate. The senior has scored a team-high 23 runs to go along with 27 hits and has struck out 52 batters this season.

Collins, a freshman outfielder, is second on the team with 20 RBIs on the season. She has racked up 25 hits including eight doubles this year. 

New Kensington, coached by Mike Marsili, is currently 13-12 and is headed to DuBois, Pa. for the PSUAC Championships Sunday, May 9.