Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh softball opens up fall slate with four games this weekend
9/20/2013 10:38:00 AM | Softball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh softball team will kick off its fall season this weekend with doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday at Kaufman Field. The Mountain Hawks will host Villanova for two games Saturday before hosting Saint Joseph's for a pair on Sunday.
Winners of the Patriot League Tournament in two of the last three years, the Mountain Hawks continue their fall play on September 29 when they host a doubleheader against Delaware. They will conclude the fall portion of their schedule with a doubleheader against Rutgers on October 5.
"In 'fall ball' we want to see what our girls look like in game situations," said head coach Fran Troyan. "It's a good time for us to evaluate the things that we need to work on this winter so that we can prepare ourselves for the spring and the Patriot League season."
Lehigh is coming off a strong season where the Mountain Hawks won the Patriot League regular season title with a 17-3 league mark and a 37-16-1 overall record. The Mountain Hawks hosted the Patriot League Tournament and came within one win of capturing their third straight title and advancing to regionals. The two straight shutout losses to Army came as a shock after the Mountain Hawks opened the tournament with two straight wins, including an 8-0 blanking of the Black Knights.
"We have the same goals and expectations this year as any year," Troyan said. "But this year, I think the girls will want it even more after getting so close last year and then not getting to make the trip to regionals."
The Mountain Hawks look to build upon the consistent success they've had under Troyan, who heads into his 19th season as head coach. Troyan is an all-time 615-328-6 with the program including 15 Patriot League regular season titles, nine tournament crowns and eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Troyan will look to a strong freshmen class that includes pitcher Christine Campbell, outfielder Ashley Cole, catcher Alexis Gaskill and utility player Vicky Lattanzio, to replace a talented group of graduating seniors. Rosie Roessel, Liz Lucas, Kristen Mitchell, Jacqi Kennelly and Rebecca Bliss graduated in May after helping Lehigh to Patriot League championships in 2011 and 2012.
"We have four new freshmen who we are expecting big things from right away," said Troyan. "We think they bring a lot of talent and depth to our lineup."
Lehigh returns three first-team All-Patriot League performers and one second-team selection from the 2013 team. Juniors Emily Bausher and Cassie Waggy, along with sophomore Morgan Decker garnered first-team honors. Decker was also named Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Year as well as the ECAC Rookie of the Year last season. She and Bausher were also NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region selections. Sophomore second baseman Alexis Watanabe was named to the All-Patriot League second team.
We have a lot of strong contributors who are returning this year," said Troyan. "We are really excited to see how they look on the field this weekend."
The first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Villanova is slated to begin at noon at Kaufman Field.
Story by Connor Cackovic '15
Winners of the Patriot League Tournament in two of the last three years, the Mountain Hawks continue their fall play on September 29 when they host a doubleheader against Delaware. They will conclude the fall portion of their schedule with a doubleheader against Rutgers on October 5.
"In 'fall ball' we want to see what our girls look like in game situations," said head coach Fran Troyan. "It's a good time for us to evaluate the things that we need to work on this winter so that we can prepare ourselves for the spring and the Patriot League season."
Lehigh is coming off a strong season where the Mountain Hawks won the Patriot League regular season title with a 17-3 league mark and a 37-16-1 overall record. The Mountain Hawks hosted the Patriot League Tournament and came within one win of capturing their third straight title and advancing to regionals. The two straight shutout losses to Army came as a shock after the Mountain Hawks opened the tournament with two straight wins, including an 8-0 blanking of the Black Knights.
"We have the same goals and expectations this year as any year," Troyan said. "But this year, I think the girls will want it even more after getting so close last year and then not getting to make the trip to regionals."
The Mountain Hawks look to build upon the consistent success they've had under Troyan, who heads into his 19th season as head coach. Troyan is an all-time 615-328-6 with the program including 15 Patriot League regular season titles, nine tournament crowns and eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Troyan will look to a strong freshmen class that includes pitcher Christine Campbell, outfielder Ashley Cole, catcher Alexis Gaskill and utility player Vicky Lattanzio, to replace a talented group of graduating seniors. Rosie Roessel, Liz Lucas, Kristen Mitchell, Jacqi Kennelly and Rebecca Bliss graduated in May after helping Lehigh to Patriot League championships in 2011 and 2012.
"We have four new freshmen who we are expecting big things from right away," said Troyan. "We think they bring a lot of talent and depth to our lineup."
Lehigh returns three first-team All-Patriot League performers and one second-team selection from the 2013 team. Juniors Emily Bausher and Cassie Waggy, along with sophomore Morgan Decker garnered first-team honors. Decker was also named Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Year as well as the ECAC Rookie of the Year last season. She and Bausher were also NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region selections. Sophomore second baseman Alexis Watanabe was named to the All-Patriot League second team.
We have a lot of strong contributors who are returning this year," said Troyan. "We are really excited to see how they look on the field this weekend."
The first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Villanova is slated to begin at noon at Kaufman Field.
Story by Connor Cackovic '15
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