Mountain Hawks announce team awards
6/9/2014 12:29:00 PM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a historic and successful 2014 season, the Lehigh baseball team took time to reflect upon the season and hand out its annual team awards.
The Outstanding Athlete award, which is awarded to the team member who makes the most outstanding athletic contributions to the accomplishment of the team, was given to junior Justin Pacchioli. The center fielder was named first team All-Patriot League after hitting a league-leading .386 during league play. He led the Mountain Hawks with 16 stolen bases and a cumulative .362 batting average.
The Coaches Award, given to the individual who made significant contributions to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement, or special leadership, was awarded to senior co-captain Joe Abeln. Abeln also earned Lehigh's Sportsmanship Award at the end-of-year athletics convocation. The senior tallied a .301 batting average throughout the season and led the team with 32 runs scored. Abeln switched positions for the betterment of the team on several occasions during his career, earning All-Patriot League recognition as both a catcher and outfielder.
The team's Scholar-Athlete award, given to the student-athlete who, in the eyes of his teammates, exemplifies the ideal of the scholar-athlete, was awarded to senior Brandon Wilt. An industrial engineering major, Wilt has tallied a strong 3.29 GPA throughout his four years at Lehigh.
In addition to the team awards, two Mountain Hawks were also presented with the Anderson-Hartzell Pitching Award. The award is sponsored by Craig Anderson '60 and Paul Hartzell '75, both of whom are former major league pitchers. The two select a pitcher(s) who meet meets outlined, top-level performance criteria. This year's recipients were seniors Colin Gotzon and Nick Cassell.
Gotzon, the team's key weekend headliner for the past two years, led the squad with 62 strikeouts and a 5-1 record this season. Cassell transitioned from a starting role to a closing role with great success during 2014, finishing the season with a team-best seven saves, a 3.07 ERA and five wins. The two are the first Mountain Hawks to earn the honor since former standout Cory Kent was given the award in 2012.
The Mountain Hawks finished the season with a 25-24 overall record and made their first Patriot League Championship series appearance since 2006. The successful 2014 campaign included the team's lowest ERA in 35 years and a league-leading batting average.
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The Outstanding Athlete award, which is awarded to the team member who makes the most outstanding athletic contributions to the accomplishment of the team, was given to junior Justin Pacchioli. The center fielder was named first team All-Patriot League after hitting a league-leading .386 during league play. He led the Mountain Hawks with 16 stolen bases and a cumulative .362 batting average.
The Coaches Award, given to the individual who made significant contributions to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement, or special leadership, was awarded to senior co-captain Joe Abeln. Abeln also earned Lehigh's Sportsmanship Award at the end-of-year athletics convocation. The senior tallied a .301 batting average throughout the season and led the team with 32 runs scored. Abeln switched positions for the betterment of the team on several occasions during his career, earning All-Patriot League recognition as both a catcher and outfielder.
The team's Scholar-Athlete award, given to the student-athlete who, in the eyes of his teammates, exemplifies the ideal of the scholar-athlete, was awarded to senior Brandon Wilt. An industrial engineering major, Wilt has tallied a strong 3.29 GPA throughout his four years at Lehigh.
In addition to the team awards, two Mountain Hawks were also presented with the Anderson-Hartzell Pitching Award. The award is sponsored by Craig Anderson '60 and Paul Hartzell '75, both of whom are former major league pitchers. The two select a pitcher(s) who meet meets outlined, top-level performance criteria. This year's recipients were seniors Colin Gotzon and Nick Cassell.
Gotzon, the team's key weekend headliner for the past two years, led the squad with 62 strikeouts and a 5-1 record this season. Cassell transitioned from a starting role to a closing role with great success during 2014, finishing the season with a team-best seven saves, a 3.07 ERA and five wins. The two are the first Mountain Hawks to earn the honor since former standout Cory Kent was given the award in 2012.
The Mountain Hawks finished the season with a 25-24 overall record and made their first Patriot League Championship series appearance since 2006. The successful 2014 campaign included the team's lowest ERA in 35 years and a league-leading batting average.
Like Lehigh baseball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content and team updates.
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