Lehigh University Athletics
Opportunities on the rise for Quigley in her senior season
4/29/2014 3:08:00 PM | Softball
By Rebecca Factor '14, Lehigh Sports Media Relations
Senior softball pitcher Ashley Quigley has a lot going for her as she finishes up her Lehigh career. She has a winning record in her senior season, a job lined up after graduation, and memories that will last well beyond her college years.
Quigley has been playing softball since she was just eight years old. She was pushed to play a sport by her parents and fell into softball party because of her father's love for baseball. Quigley never really branched out to any other sports. By the time she turned 13, things became more competitive as she joined a travel team and became more serious about the sport.
Once in high school, she began attending recruiting tournaments with hopes of playing in college. At one specific tournament in Colorado, Quigley caught the eye of Lehigh's softball coach, Fran Troyan. Initially, Lehigh was not even in the picture, but Troyan happened to walk by as Quigley was pitching and saw something special.
"We could see a lot of talent," Troyan said. "That's what attracted us to her as a pitcher."
After taking an official visit, Quigley fell in love with the school and the softball team.
Quigley saw significant action as a freshman, pitching in 29 games and earning 13 victories. While her innings decreased over the next two years, she still made the most of her opportunities, striking out 57 batters in 69 innings. So far in her senior season, Quigley has been a key cog in Lehigh's pitching rotation, winning seven games and striking out 61 in 82.2 innings. In a March 31 win over Lafayette, Quigley struck out a career-high 12 in a 4-1 Lehigh victory.
Not only does Quigley's strong velocity and quick movement help her excel, but she's improved her fielding over four years, making her a defensive asset in the pitcher's circle. Throughout her four years, both her teammates and coaches have seen her grow into her own. She has become a much more self-assured and confident person on and off the field, which has translated into her pitching abilities. Coach Troyan believes that in her senior year Quigley has proved she has the ability to beat anyone in the country.
Being a varsity athlete at a Division I school is not easy. Between practices in and out of season and a three-month schedule of roughly 50 games per season, there isn't much free time for the softball student- athletes. While this may seem unappealing to most, Quigley believes being an athlete and part of the softball team has made her Lehigh experience that much better. She attributes her teammates, coach and the program as a whole to making the demanding schedule worth it.
The strong bond that the teammates have is something that Quigley appreciates most about the team.
"We're so close," she says. "They're the only other people who would get me and for that matter we get each other."
The long road trips and overnight hotel stays are some of Quigley's best memories because those are more personal experiences and are the foundations of the close friendships that have formed among the 17 team members.
In addition to her rise ball, Quigley's sense of humor and approachable nature are traits that make her an asset to the team. She is always enthusiastic and upbeat, which keeps her team motivated throughout the long season.
"The team loves Ashley for her positive energy and spirit," says Quigley's best friend and teammate Kelsey Lee. "We can always count on her for a smile, a laugh, or a word of encouragement."
As a senior, Quigley has become a leader and mentor to her teammates, especially the freshmen. Her attitude and talent are characteristics that her teammates admire most. Coach Troyan describes her as a quiet leader and a teammate her peers can go to for emotional stability. In part due to her nostalgia, she strives to teach the younger players to cherish every moment on the team and not get too caught up in things like team politics or playing time.
Although Quigley's college softball career may be coming to a close, her upcoming graduation does not mark the end to her involvement with the program. A computer science major, Quigley has already secured a job as a web designer for Ignite 2X, an advertising agency located in Bethlehem. Quigley is sure she'll continue to be around showing support for her teammates.
"I am definitely going to come see all the games," Quigley said. "At least all the local ones."
The Mountain Hawks will wrap-up the regular season with three Patriot League games at Army this weekend. Lehigh holds a one-game lead over Boston University and a three-game lead over Army and Bucknell in the race for the regular season championship and the right to host the Patriot League Tournament beginning May 8.
The three-game series at Army will feature a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. from the Army Softball Complex. Audio for all three games will be available at Lehighsports.com/showcase.
Senior softball pitcher Ashley Quigley has a lot going for her as she finishes up her Lehigh career. She has a winning record in her senior season, a job lined up after graduation, and memories that will last well beyond her college years.
Quigley has been playing softball since she was just eight years old. She was pushed to play a sport by her parents and fell into softball party because of her father's love for baseball. Quigley never really branched out to any other sports. By the time she turned 13, things became more competitive as she joined a travel team and became more serious about the sport.
Once in high school, she began attending recruiting tournaments with hopes of playing in college. At one specific tournament in Colorado, Quigley caught the eye of Lehigh's softball coach, Fran Troyan. Initially, Lehigh was not even in the picture, but Troyan happened to walk by as Quigley was pitching and saw something special.
"We could see a lot of talent," Troyan said. "That's what attracted us to her as a pitcher."
After taking an official visit, Quigley fell in love with the school and the softball team.
Quigley saw significant action as a freshman, pitching in 29 games and earning 13 victories. While her innings decreased over the next two years, she still made the most of her opportunities, striking out 57 batters in 69 innings. So far in her senior season, Quigley has been a key cog in Lehigh's pitching rotation, winning seven games and striking out 61 in 82.2 innings. In a March 31 win over Lafayette, Quigley struck out a career-high 12 in a 4-1 Lehigh victory.
Not only does Quigley's strong velocity and quick movement help her excel, but she's improved her fielding over four years, making her a defensive asset in the pitcher's circle. Throughout her four years, both her teammates and coaches have seen her grow into her own. She has become a much more self-assured and confident person on and off the field, which has translated into her pitching abilities. Coach Troyan believes that in her senior year Quigley has proved she has the ability to beat anyone in the country.
Being a varsity athlete at a Division I school is not easy. Between practices in and out of season and a three-month schedule of roughly 50 games per season, there isn't much free time for the softball student- athletes. While this may seem unappealing to most, Quigley believes being an athlete and part of the softball team has made her Lehigh experience that much better. She attributes her teammates, coach and the program as a whole to making the demanding schedule worth it.
The strong bond that the teammates have is something that Quigley appreciates most about the team.
"We're so close," she says. "They're the only other people who would get me and for that matter we get each other."
The long road trips and overnight hotel stays are some of Quigley's best memories because those are more personal experiences and are the foundations of the close friendships that have formed among the 17 team members.
In addition to her rise ball, Quigley's sense of humor and approachable nature are traits that make her an asset to the team. She is always enthusiastic and upbeat, which keeps her team motivated throughout the long season.
"The team loves Ashley for her positive energy and spirit," says Quigley's best friend and teammate Kelsey Lee. "We can always count on her for a smile, a laugh, or a word of encouragement."
As a senior, Quigley has become a leader and mentor to her teammates, especially the freshmen. Her attitude and talent are characteristics that her teammates admire most. Coach Troyan describes her as a quiet leader and a teammate her peers can go to for emotional stability. In part due to her nostalgia, she strives to teach the younger players to cherish every moment on the team and not get too caught up in things like team politics or playing time.
Although Quigley's college softball career may be coming to a close, her upcoming graduation does not mark the end to her involvement with the program. A computer science major, Quigley has already secured a job as a web designer for Ignite 2X, an advertising agency located in Bethlehem. Quigley is sure she'll continue to be around showing support for her teammates.
"I am definitely going to come see all the games," Quigley said. "At least all the local ones."
The Mountain Hawks will wrap-up the regular season with three Patriot League games at Army this weekend. Lehigh holds a one-game lead over Boston University and a three-game lead over Army and Bucknell in the race for the regular season championship and the right to host the Patriot League Tournament beginning May 8.
The three-game series at Army will feature a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. from the Army Softball Complex. Audio for all three games will be available at Lehighsports.com/showcase.
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