Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks work out in rainy Gainesville
5/14/2009 7:30:00 PM | Softball
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Lehigh made its final preparations for its upcoming NCAA Regional appearance with a workout inside Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium Thursday afternoon. The Mountain Hawks (36-16-1) are making their fifth NCAA appearance in the last six years, and will open things up on Friday against Texas A&M. As Lehigh prepared for its matchup with the Aggies, who the Mountain Hawks defeated twice in the 2006 Amherst Regional, most of the focus was on the weather, as a strong thunderstorm interrupted Lehigh’s workout.
The Mountain Hawks were on the practice fields behind Pressly Stadium for approximately 15 minutes before the skies opened up and sent the Brown and White headed for shelter. The rains also interfered with the region’s No. 4 seed Florida A&M, which was working out inside the stadium. Student-athletes from both teams ended up sequestered together in a room which brought upon some interesting bonding time between the Patriot League and MEAC Champions.
“While it rained we hung out with Florida A&M,” said senior second baseman Whitney Lowe. “They were going through the same thing we were so our teams did some bonding. It’s fun to meet players from the other teams. They were in the same situation as us, so we waited out the rain together.”
“This experience has been really great so far,” added freshman shortstop Jen Colquhoun. “Because of the rain we had a great time getting to know one of the other teams, and also spending time together with our team. We’re looking forward to going out there tomorrow and giving our all for our seniors.”
After a delay of roughly an hour, Lehigh made its way to the batting cages to get the hitting part of its workout in. Because of the rain delay, the Mountain Hawks will take another brief defensive workout on Friday morning before their showdown with Texas A&M.
“They tell me it’s the first time it’s rained in six weeks in Gainesville,” said Lehigh head coach Fran Troyan during Thursday’s delay. “Unfortunately it was at our expense, but we were able to get some good swings in, and we’ll get on the field as a team tomorrow before we play.”
The Aggies (31-20) completed their workout without any interference from the weather on what was a typical warm, humid May afternoon in Gainesville. Texas A&M has been off since falling to Baylor in the opening round of the Big XII tournament last weekend. Sophomore Rhiannon Kliesing leads the way for the Aggies, both in the circle (20-12, 2.29 ERA, 168 strikeouts) and at the plate (eight HR, 34 RBI). Only one player on the Texas A&M roster, senior outfielder Holly Ridley, was on the 2006 that lost twice to the Mountain Hawks.
“We’re going to go all out,” explained Colquhoun. “We’re not going to be scared because we’re from a smaller school. We need to come out with focus, good leadership, good execution and our best defensive effort and we’ll do well.”
“We’ll definitely be ready to go tomorrow,” added Lowe. “We’re really excited and to be back at regionals. The upperclassmen have told the younger players to play hard, never give up and have fun out there.”
Friday, the three-day double-elimination tournament kicks-off at 3:30 p.m. when Lehigh faces Texas A&M at Pressly Stadium. Host Florida and Florida A&M will play the day’s second game with first pitch scheduled for approximately 6 p.m. All of Lehigh’s NCAA regional action can be heard on WLVR-FM (91.3) as well as Lehighsports.com. Coverage on Friday begins at 3:15 with the pregame show, featuring the Fran Troyan Report.
Lehigh - Texas A&M game preview!
