Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh duo earns Academic All-District honors
5/7/2009 8:45:00 PM | Softball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – While Lehigh tries to win its fifth Patriot League Tournament title in the last six years on the field, two of Lehigh’s captains were honored for their work in the classroom as seniors Alisha Gonzales and Lisa Sweeney were named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District II first team; it was announced on Thursday. The honor is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) whose schools are in the region.
To be eligible for the award, individuals must be at least a sophomore, as well as a starter or key reserve on her team with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.20. CoSIDA’s District II consists of schools in
Sweeney has added yet another major academic award to her already impressive resume. A 2008 third team Academic All-America, Sweeney earns first team All-District honors for the third time. A multiple-time member of both the Dean’s List and Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, Sweeney carries a 3.79 grade point average has a history major.
In the last two weeks, the
On the field, Sweeney recently became just the seventh four-time first team All-Patriot League selection in league softball history and became the first player to win four consecutive Pitcher of the Year Awards. She holds Patriot League single season and career records for wins and strikeouts, and is enjoying another strong season with a 20-8 record, 2.13 ERA, 214 strikeouts and eight shutouts. At the plate, Sweeney is batting .342 with 29 RBI and a team-best seven home runs.
Gonzales earns the first Academic All-District honor of her career, by capturing one of the first team outfield spots. A member of Lehigh’s student-athlete executive council, Gonzales boasts a 3.70 as a double major in Psychology and Women’s Studies and has made regular appearances on the Dean’s List and Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
The Marlton, N.J. native is also a two-time first team All-League selection, and was one of the Mountain Hawks top offensive threats in league play, where she batted .438 with three homers and 16 RBI. Gonzales is batting .360 overall this season and ranks among the team leaders with four home runs and 26 RBI.
Lehigh’s two honorees this year mark the fourth straight year that the Mountain Hawks have had multiple softball student-athletes recognized as Academic All-District selections.
The Mountain Hawks (34-16-1) will return to action on Friday morning when they face Bucknell in game three of the Patriot League tournament, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. from Kaufman Field. The game will be broadcast on 91.3 FM WLVR as well as online at Lehighsports.com with streaming audio powered by Yahoo! Sports.
