Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks announce softball class of 2014
7/29/2010 5:00:00 PM | Softball
 |
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head coach Fran Troyan has announced the addition of five student-athletes that will join the Mountain Hawks softball program in the fall. The Mountain Hawks are looking to reload after seeing their 11-year streak of Patriot League regular season titles come to an end, despite the program’s tenth straight 30-win season. Troyan has brought in a pair of pitchers, a catcher and two infielders with four states from across the country represented, as Lehigh looks to reclaim its perch atop the Patriot League in 2011.
“In recruiting this class, we were looking to replace our three seniors: Tiffany Curtis, Lauren Eichblatt and Brooke Lewis, while adding some infield depth,” explained Troyan, who enters his 16th season. “We feel like we have brought in two pitchers who will help us in the circle from day one. We also feel like we brought in a very strong defensive catcher and two capable infielders who will compete for playing time right away.”
The first of the two pitchers in the incoming class is right-hander Kelsey Lee from New Trier Township HS in Illinois. Lee was a second-team Chicago Tribune All-State selection and comes from the same high school as former Lehigh standout and current Mountain Hawks pitching coach Stephanie Covelle. She plays her travel softball for the Chicago Bandits Gold, one of the top teams in Illinois.
“Kelsey is an outstanding pitcher who broke a lot of Stephanie Covelle’s records in high school,” said Troyan. “We have followed Kelsey for some time and not only like her as a pitcher, but think she has tremendous potential as a hitter as well.”
A potential future battery-mate for Lee is Jessica Long, a catcher from Howell, New Jersey, who attended Red Bank Catholic High School. Long was an All-State selection for her work behind the plate and should join rising sophomore Liz Lucas to form a formidable catching tandem for the Brown and White. She plays her travel ball for the New Jersey Intensity, one of the top travel programs on the east coast.
“We have been following Jessica for a long time and feel like she is the top catcher coming out of New Jersey this year,” notes Troyan. “We know that she has caught high-level pitchers for her high school and travel teams and feel like she will make a real quick adjustment to Division I softball.”
Lizzy Odren is an infielder from Avon Grove High School in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. A four-year varsity starter, Odren was a first-team All-Chest-Mont League as a senior. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Chaos Gold travel team.
“Lizzy is an incredible athlete and she plays with a lot of energy,” said Troyan. “We are looking forward to Lizzy bringing that energy to our team.
From Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona comes the second pitcher in the class, Ashley Quigley. A member of one of the top high school programs in the state of Arizona, Quigley plays her travel ball for Arizona Hotshots Gold team, under coach Gary Davis.
“Ashley is a tall right-handed pitcher with great movement and control,” said Troyan. “We will look to count on Ashley right away.”
Rounding out the Class of 2014 is infielder/utility player Kristin Taft from Millstone Township, N.J. A left-handed power hitter, Taft was an All-State performer for Allentown High School, and like Long is a member of the New Jersey Intensity travel team.
“In the recruiting process, we really liked Kristin’s approach to hitting,” explained Troyan. “We are looking forward to her providing some left handed power in our program.
Troyan concluded, “As a whole, we will expect this class to jump in and compete for us in practice and in games right away. We anxiously await their arrival on South Mountain.”
The Mountain Hawks will return 14 players, including five All-Patriot League selections for the 2011 season.
Lehigh Softball Class of 2014
|
Name |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
College |
|
Kelsey Lee |
RHP |
Wilmette, Ill./New Trier |
Arts and Sciences |
|
Jessica Long |
C/UT |
Howell, N.J./Red Bank Catholic |
Business |
|
Lizzy Odren |
IF |
Landenberg, Pa./Avon Grove |
Arts and Sciences |
|
Ashley Quigley |
RHP |
Mesa, Ariz./Red Mountain |
Arts and Sciences |
|
Kristin Taft |
IF/UT |
Millstone Twp., N.J./Allentown |
Arts and Sciences |
