Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks enjoy productive fall season
10/8/2009 10:45:00 AM | Softball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh softball team recently put the finishing touches on its fall season as the defending Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks began their preparations for the 2010 campaign. The Mountain Hawks have won the last eleven league regular season championships and five of the last six tournament titles, but head coach Fran Troyan is looking is not focusing on the past. It’s a new season and Troyan is pleased with the work done by this current group so far, as Lehigh looks to continue its winning ways in 2010.
“In a short period of time we made tremendous strides,” said Troyan, who begins his 15th season. “The other thing we learned is that we have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us on many different levels. What’s exciting is that this particular group is anxious to get after it and improve as a team.”
The Mountain Hawks’ original September schedule featured two weekend doubleheaders plus games at the Carole Weil Tournament in Allentown. Weather forced the cancellation of Lehigh’s first doubleheader, but the Mountain Hawks did get in their doubleheader with Rutgers on September 20, and did get in three games at the Carole Weil Tournament, where they defeated Kutztown and split two games with Seton Hall.
“It was good to get those last three games in at the Carole Weil Tournament,” explained Troyan. “No matter what you see in practice, it’s the games that identify your strengths and areas for growth. It became clearer after those games what we need to do as we prepare for the season.”
One of the biggest questions facing Lehigh as it prepares for the new season is how the team will replace Lisa Sweeney, the four-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year who graduated in May as the league’s career leader in wins and strikeouts. Senior Tiffany Curtis is expected to step into a leading role and Troyan is pleased with what he saw from his entire staff throughout the last month.
“Tiffany Curtis really stepped her pitching to a new level,” said Troyan. “She came back to school in great shape and with a great outlook. We’re eager to have her step into the No. 1 position in our rotation.
Troyan continued, “In addition, Bri Gaumer worked very hard in the off-season and has made tremendous strides, and freshman Rebecca Bliss has shown she can compete right away at a high level. She has a chance to be outstanding in the near future.”
The left side of Lehigh’s infield, junior third baseman Alex Cueva and sophomore shortstop Jen Colquhoun were praised by Troyan for their performances in the fall season, both in terms of practicing hard on a daily basis and making standout plays in game situations. In addition Troyan sees his incoming class of five freshmen as one that will be able to contribute right away.
The Mountain Hawks are tentatively scheduled to open their 2010 season February 26 at a tournament hosted by the University of Virginia.
