Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks look to reclaim perch atop Patriot League in 2011
2/22/2011 7:29:00 PM | Softball
For more than a decade, the Lehigh softball program has been the hunted in the Patriot League. The Mountain Hawks won 11 straight Patriot League regular season titles from 1999-2009 and won five of six league tournament titles from 2004-2009. Last season saw Lehigh's regular season title streak come to an end, and after an early exit from the Patriot League tournament, the Mountain Hawks will be the hunters in 2011. With a wealth of talent and experience returning, the Mountain Hawks are confident they can return to their perch atop the Patriot League.
The Mountain Hawks' biggest strength may be in their balance. Head coach Fran Troyan expects to field a team that is strong in all three phases of the game.
"Last season did not end all that well for us," said Troyan, who begins his 16th season as head coach. "What it did though, is it gave us a chance to look at everything with a fresh set of eyes. We switched a few things around and I feel like our team has done a great job buying into the fresh approach we have taken.
Troyan continued, "We have good balance. We have a solid pitching staff. Our defense is going to be solid and our run production will be solid as well. We aren't exceptional in any of these areas, but we're strong in all three. With hard work we will possess the ability to be exceptional in any of those areas."
Two of the leaders for Lehigh reside on the corner infield spots with junior first baseman Julie Fernandez and senior third baseman Alex Cueva. In two seasons, Fernandez has already been named Patriot League Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year. Last year Fernandez led the league in hitting with a .442 average and will once again be relied upon in the middle of Lehigh's lineup. Cueva returns at the hot corner after hitting a career-best .355 as a junior with a team-leading 38 runs batted in. Fernandez and Cueva will serve as tri-captains along with senior outfielder Carly Potock and Troyan has enjoyed what he's seen from his infielders in terms of leadership.
"Julie continues to improve defensively," Troyan said. Through hard work she has made herself an outstanding defensive first baseman while her hitting continues to be outstanding. Alex came back this spring in phenomenal shape and has practiced very well in our preseason. With both of them being captains our infield play has really stepped up and set the tone in our practices." 
Two-year starter and All-League performer Jen Colquhoun returns as the starter at shortstop. Colquhoun emerged as Lehigh's cleanup hitter last year with five home runs and 34 RBI and provides defensive stability at a key position.
At second base junior Tenley Halaquist will compete with freshman Lizzy Odren for playing time, while sophomore Jacqi Kennelly will add depth at a number of positions in the infield and outfield.
The Mountain Hawks are young behind the plate with sophomore Liz Lucas and freshman Jess Long expected to share the catching duties. Lucas split time with the since graduated Lauren Eichblatt last season. A solid defensive backstop, Lucas had an outstanding freshman season at the plate with a team-leading six home runs and 37 RBI. Lucas prowess with the bat will likely earn her time at the designated player position when she's not catching. She will split time with Long, who comes highly regarded from New Jersey.
"I feel that we have two of the best catchers in the Patriot League," Troyan stated. "It's a luxury for us to have to very able catchers that we will look to rely on throughout the season. They had the entire fall to get accustomed to our pitching staff and we're looking forward to seeing them in game action."
In the outfield, Lehigh returns all three starters, although all three switched positions at the tail end of last season. Speedy leadoff hitter Audra Wood moves from center field to left field while sophomore speedster Rosie Roessel moves from right to center. Both players give Lehigh speed and the ability to generate runs at the top and bottom of the batting order.
Tri-captain Carly Potock moves from left field to right field, with junior Hana Harrison and sophomore Kristen Mitchell providing depth in the outfield. In addition senior Sam Miller and freshman Kristin Taft will serve in utility roles while adding depth to the Lehigh lineup.The Mountain Hawks are young in the pitching circle, with one sophomore and two freshmen on the roster, but all three Lehigh hurlers possess the talent to make the position an area of strength. Sophomore Rebecca Bliss returns after earning second team All-League honors as a freshman. Bliss was exceptionally good in Patriot League play where she boasted a 1.48 earned run average and tossed a no-hitter in a win over Army in April. A pair of freshman right-handers, Ashley Quigley from Arizona and Kelsey Lee from Illinois, will give Lehigh young talent and depth in the circle.
"Becca has shown the ability to compete favorably in our league," Troyan explained. "Even though Ashley and Kelsey are both freshmen they both possess a wealth of travel ball experience so I'm confident they won't act like freshmen at all in the pitcher's circle.
In their hunt for a return to the top, the Mountain Hawks will face a challenging schedule that includes five non-league games against 2010 NCAA Regional participants. Lehigh will play in two tough early-season tournaments plus its annual visit to the Rebel Spring Games. The midweek schedule features doubleheaders with regional powers Fordham and Hofstra to prepare for the always challenging Patriot League slate.
"We're not concerned about what our record will look like in the early season," Troyan said. "We're going to play as hard as we can and learn about ourselves as a team early on. We will play some very difficult games early on that will help us identify areas we need to work on.
Troyan concluded, "We need to be playing at a strong level by the time Patriot League play comes around. There will be no easy games in the league. Our league's record in non-league games has gotten much better than it used to be. When we get to league play we will have our hands full every single weekend."
The Mountain Hawks will open the regular season this weekend at the ECU Pirate Clash in Greenville, N.C. Lehigh will open up with two games against Campbell Friday morning and Saturday afternoon, before meeting host East Carolina Saturday afternoon. The weekend concludes with games against Fairfield and Towson Sunday morning.
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