Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks begin preseason practice
1/27/2014 9:31:00 AM | Baseball
2014 Baseball Schedule | Matt McBride Update – Allentown Morning Call
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh baseball team officially began preseason practice Friday with its sights set on the season opener on Feb. 21 in Davidson, N.C. Lehigh will hold its practices inside Rauch Fieldhouse until the weather permits the team to take to the diamond on Goodman Campus.
"There's always so much excitement and anticipation on the first day of practice," said Sean Leary, who enters his 18th season as head coach of the Mountain Hawks. "We've worked so hard in the offseason and now it's time to see the benefits of that hard work. Getting all the guys back together in one spot is a lot of fun."
After months of winter strength workouts, Lehigh now turns its focus to skill and repetition training to get the Mountain Hawks ready for game day. Leary and his staff have seen many areas of improvement over fall ball and winter workouts and are excited about the progress of their team.
<%--Baseball Preseason Practice 1/24/14 Gallery--%>
"We've had a lot of guys see gains in their speed and strength and there's a pretty smooth transition into how that's going to help their game," said Leary. "We're really excited about how our upperclassmen have improved physically, but also how talented our freshmen group is. They've acclimated very well and seem like they're ready to go."
Senior captains Joe Abeln, Tyler Brong and Mike Burke, along with the rest of the upperclassmen, have stepped up to lead a class of 11 freshmen. The Mountain Hawks graduated a talented senior class of four after last season, but bring back many experienced players who are ready to make a run for a Patriot League title.
"This is the closest team I've had in probably seven or eight years," said Leary. "Our seniors and captains ran a lot of workouts on their own and proved that they're true leaders."
Former Lehigh standout and current member of the Colorado Rockies organization, Matt McBride, was also on hand inside Rauch Fieldhouse completing his own personal training while participating in drills with the current Mountain Hawk players. McBride made his Major League debut for Colorado in August 2012, playing in 31 games with two home runs and 11 RBI.
"It's always great to have Matt back in Bethlehem and it shows our players what hard work and dedication can do," said Leary. "They get excited about being around him and hearing what he has to say."
The Mountain Hawks will pursue their second Patriot League championship this season, hoping to build off the experience gained from last season. The coaching staff aims to get the team ready for league play the best it can, by getting everyone healthy, getting in reps and building up pitch counts, with the ultimate goal of competing in the Patriot League Tournament.
"The reality is that this team has the ability to compete in May," said Leary. "We're very excited about the talent that we have and can't wait to see how far this team can go."
Like Lehigh baseball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh baseball team officially began preseason practice Friday with its sights set on the season opener on Feb. 21 in Davidson, N.C. Lehigh will hold its practices inside Rauch Fieldhouse until the weather permits the team to take to the diamond on Goodman Campus.
"There's always so much excitement and anticipation on the first day of practice," said Sean Leary, who enters his 18th season as head coach of the Mountain Hawks. "We've worked so hard in the offseason and now it's time to see the benefits of that hard work. Getting all the guys back together in one spot is a lot of fun."
After months of winter strength workouts, Lehigh now turns its focus to skill and repetition training to get the Mountain Hawks ready for game day. Leary and his staff have seen many areas of improvement over fall ball and winter workouts and are excited about the progress of their team.
"We've had a lot of guys see gains in their speed and strength and there's a pretty smooth transition into how that's going to help their game," said Leary. "We're really excited about how our upperclassmen have improved physically, but also how talented our freshmen group is. They've acclimated very well and seem like they're ready to go."
Senior captains Joe Abeln, Tyler Brong and Mike Burke, along with the rest of the upperclassmen, have stepped up to lead a class of 11 freshmen. The Mountain Hawks graduated a talented senior class of four after last season, but bring back many experienced players who are ready to make a run for a Patriot League title.
"This is the closest team I've had in probably seven or eight years," said Leary. "Our seniors and captains ran a lot of workouts on their own and proved that they're true leaders."
Former Lehigh standout and current member of the Colorado Rockies organization, Matt McBride, was also on hand inside Rauch Fieldhouse completing his own personal training while participating in drills with the current Mountain Hawk players. McBride made his Major League debut for Colorado in August 2012, playing in 31 games with two home runs and 11 RBI.
"It's always great to have Matt back in Bethlehem and it shows our players what hard work and dedication can do," said Leary. "They get excited about being around him and hearing what he has to say."
The Mountain Hawks will pursue their second Patriot League championship this season, hoping to build off the experience gained from last season. The coaching staff aims to get the team ready for league play the best it can, by getting everyone healthy, getting in reps and building up pitch counts, with the ultimate goal of competing in the Patriot League Tournament.
"The reality is that this team has the ability to compete in May," said Leary. "We're very excited about the talent that we have and can't wait to see how far this team can go."
Like Lehigh baseball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
MHT EP13 - Baseball
Wednesday, March 25
Baseball vs. Holy Cross 2
Saturday, March 21
Baseball vs. Holy Cross 1
Saturday, March 21
Baseball vs. Navy
Saturday, March 14
