Penn State Altoona’s Riley Best picked as AMCC Softball Player of the Week

LATROBE, Pa. - Penn State Altoona softball's outfielder/right-handed pitcher Riley Best, of Coalport, was announced as the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference's Player of the Week on March 16.

Best had a big week for the Lions, both at the plate and in the circle, to help the softball team go 6-2 across its last eight games in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.

In Penn State Altoona's wins over Mitchell College and Gwynedd Mercy University last Monday, March 9, Best combined to hit 5-for-8 with two doubles, one triple, four runs scored, three RBI, and a stolen base. In a Wednesday, March 11, split with Martin Luther College and Delaware Valley University, she was 1-for-6 with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored, and a walk.

On Thursday, March 12, Best hit 1-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in a split with the University of Valley Forge and Albion College. The slugger finished her week with a big showing on Friday, March 13, combining to go 5-for-7 with two doubles, three walks, five runs scored, and seven RBI in victories over Cedar Crest College and Bridgewater State University.

In eight games last week, Best hit .462 (12-for-26) with 15 RBI, 12 runs scored, four doubles, one triple, one home run, and one stolen base. She compiled a .548 on-base percentage and a .808 slugging percentage while collecting 21 bases.

Best also had a strong week in the pitching circle, going 2-0 with a 1.14 ERA and a 0.57 WHIP. She tossed 12 1/3 innings and struck out 12 batters across three appearances versus Mitchell, Martin Luther, and Valley Forge.

Penn State Altoona softball is scheduled to get back in action ton March 19 in a 3 p.m. road doubleheader at non-conference opponent Juniata College.