Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks eager to open season next week
2/18/2010 11:30:00 AM | Softball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With the season opener now just over a week away, the Lehigh softball team has been making steady progress in preparation for the 2010 season. The Mountain Hawks, winners of the last 11 Patriot League regular season championships and five of the last six tournament crowns, have been hard at work for over a month gearing up for another successful season. Like many teams in the northeast, winter weather has limited Lehigh’s ability to work outdoors, but head coach Fran Troyan likes what he’s seen from his team so far.
“I’m very pleased with the overall effort of the team,” said Troyan, who begins his 15th season. “There hasn’t been a practice yet where the players didn’t come in looking to get better. We’re working hard, but until we’re able to get outside and play we’re not going to know exactly where we are. That being said, we’re anxious to get started next week.”
A relatively tame January weather-wise has given way to a February that has brought several major snow storms, which has for the most part relegated Lehigh to the indoor confines of Rauch Field House. Much of the practice work has focused on developing strong fundamentals and good habits. The Mountain Hawks were able to get outside onto the artificial turf several times before the snow arrived, and although the weather has not allowed them onto the field to work as much on specific game situations as much as Troyan may have hoped, the players are making the most of the current situation.
Troyan has relied on his three senior captains: Tiffany Curtis, Lauren Eichblatt and Brooke Lewis to guide the Mountain Hawks through the tricky preseason situations while preparing Lehigh for another title run.
“The three seniors have collectively stepped up and have really blended well together,” explained Troyan. “They’re trying to take advantage of their own strengths while spreading out the leadership responsibilities throughout the team. So far they’ve been very effective in leading the team by committee.”
Curtis, a first-team All-Patriot League selection last year, will also be relied upon to take over the No. 1 pitcher’s spot, vacated by the graduation of four-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year Lisa Sweeney.
“Tiffany Curtis looks to be in a pretty good spot right now,” Troyan said. “Becca (freshman Rebecca Bliss) is coming along well and Bri (Gaumer) has been coming into a good spot as well. We will need a group effort from those three to make contributions and get us to be at the level we will need to be at to compete.”
One of the more pleasant surprises from the fall season was the emergence of junior third baseman Alex Cueva and sophomore shortstop Jen Colquhoun. In addition, Lehigh returns Julie Fernandez, the 2009 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, at first base after she missed the fall season rehabbing a knee injury suffered in Lehigh’s season-ending loss to Florida.
“Julie missed the fall season but rehabbed well,” noted Troyan. “She’s starting to get the rust off. It will take her a handful of games to get her back to where she was. Our sports medicine staff has done a tremendous job getting her ready to go.
Troyan continued, “Jen and Alex work hard every day and look to be really solid on the left side of the infield. We also have Tenley Halaquist who didn’t play in the fall because of a minor injury but she’s starting to step forward at second base.”
Another challenge early in the season is getting the freshmen acclimated to the college game. Following a strong fall season from the freshmen, Troyan believes this group of five will help the Mountain Hawks right away.
“Every year we need a handful of freshmen to step forward and play meaningful roles,” explained Troyan. “In Liz Lucas, Rosie Roessel and Becca Bliss we have three freshmen who are all ready to play meaningful roles on the field right away. Kristen Mitchell and Jacqi Kennelly are coming along as well.”
The Mountain Hawks still hope to sneak in some outdoor time before opening their season next weekend at the UVa Invitational in Charlottesville, Virginia. Lehigh will open its season against Notre Dame Friday, February 26 at 9 a.m. before taking on George Washington that day at 2 p.m. The Mountain Hawks will also face Ohio, Virginia and Notre Dame for a second time in the three-day tournament.
