Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks hand out end-of-season awards
6/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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The Athlete of the Year Award, which is presented to the team member who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team, was awarded to two players: senior catcher Mary Wieder and freshman pitcher Lisa Sweeney. Both were first-team All-Patriot League and Mid-Atlantic All-Region selections in 2006. Wieder enjoyed a career year at the plate; batting .331 with 39 runs batted in. Her seven home runs tied a Lehigh single season record, while her 34 runs scored were tops in the Patriot League. Sweeney enjoyed arguably the finest single season by a pitcher in league history, with a 26-6 record and 1.14 earned run average. Along the way, Sweeney set school and league single-season records for wins (26) and strikeouts (228) and led the Patriot League in eight major pitching categories. The Patriot League Pitcher of the Year also threw a pair of no-hitters including a perfect game versus Army in the Patriot League Tournament. Sweeney went on to be named Tournament MVP with two wins and a save.
The Scholar Athlete of the Year Award is presented to the student-athlete who in the eyes of his/her teammates exemplifies the ideal of the scholar-athlete. For the third straight season, Ali Linsk earned this award. The senior tri-captain boasts a 3.86 grade point average, majoring in behavioral neuroscience. On the field, Linsk appeared in 39 games, going 3-for-5 at the plate with 19 runs scored.
Senior Kate Arico received 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. Arico teamed with Sweeney to form a viable one-two punch in the pitcher’s circle for Lehigh. A first team All-League selection, Arico was 15-6 with a 1.59 earned run average. Arico saved her best for the post season, tossing five and a third scoreless innings in the Patriot League Tournament before defeating national power Texas A&M twice in the NCAA Regionals.
The 2006 Mountain Hawks established a new school and Patriot League record for wins in a season with 43. Lehigh became the first Patriot League school to win its opening round NCAA Regional game as well as the first team to win two NCAA Regional games in the same year.
