Mountain Hawks hand out end-of-season awards
6/29/2016 1:32:00 PM | Softball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following the conclusion of Lehigh's softball season last month, head coach Fran Troyan announced the annual team award winners. A pair of senior, four-time All-Patriot League performers in Morgan Decker and Alexis Watanabe were recognized with awards along with junior Vicky Lattanzio.
Decker received the Outstanding Athlete award, which is given to the player who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team. A second team All-Patriot League selection and second team NFCA All-Region pick, Decker rode a torrid early season run at the plate to lead the Mountain Hawks with a .382 batting average, 16 doubles and six home runs, while finishing second on the team with 36 RBIs. A four-year starter at third base, Decker was a four-time All-Patriot League selection (two-time first team) and a three-time All-Region pick. She graduated as Lehigh's career leader in home runs (28) and walks (121), setting the school career home run mark in early March.
Watanabe garnered the Scholar-Athlete award for the third consecutive season. The Scholar-Athlete award is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the ideal of the scholar athlete. Watanabe graduated with a 3.84 cumulative GPA in biochemistry, including a 4.0 GPA in the spring semester. She was a three-time Academic All-Patriot League selection and a four-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. On the field, Watanabe was second team All-Patriot League in 2016, becoming a four-time all-league honoree, and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year for her work at second base for the second time.
Lattanzio was awarded the Coaches Award, which is given to the individual who made a significant contribution to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement or special leadership. A first team All-Patriot League selection as a designated player, Lattanzio batted .323 with 14 doubles in 2016 and led the Mountain Hawks with 37 RBIs. In addition to her offensive prowess, Lattanzio selflessly took on an expanded role in the pitcher's circle, throwing nearly half of her 21.1 innings over the season's final month, including a complete-game win over UMBC on April 23. She pitched to a 0.67 ERA over her final 10.1 innings of work.
As a team, the Mountain Hawks captured their fifth consecutive Patriot League regular season championship, going 36-16 overall to produce the program's 16th consecutive 30-plus win season. Lehigh loses five seniors to graduation, including Decker and Watanabe, and returns four of its seven All-Patriot League performers in 2017 including Lattanzio, pitcher Christine Campbell, catcher Carolyn Wright and outfielder Katie Schultz.
Decker received the Outstanding Athlete award, which is given to the player who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team. A second team All-Patriot League selection and second team NFCA All-Region pick, Decker rode a torrid early season run at the plate to lead the Mountain Hawks with a .382 batting average, 16 doubles and six home runs, while finishing second on the team with 36 RBIs. A four-year starter at third base, Decker was a four-time All-Patriot League selection (two-time first team) and a three-time All-Region pick. She graduated as Lehigh's career leader in home runs (28) and walks (121), setting the school career home run mark in early March.
Watanabe garnered the Scholar-Athlete award for the third consecutive season. The Scholar-Athlete award is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the ideal of the scholar athlete. Watanabe graduated with a 3.84 cumulative GPA in biochemistry, including a 4.0 GPA in the spring semester. She was a three-time Academic All-Patriot League selection and a four-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. On the field, Watanabe was second team All-Patriot League in 2016, becoming a four-time all-league honoree, and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year for her work at second base for the second time.
Lattanzio was awarded the Coaches Award, which is given to the individual who made a significant contribution to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement or special leadership. A first team All-Patriot League selection as a designated player, Lattanzio batted .323 with 14 doubles in 2016 and led the Mountain Hawks with 37 RBIs. In addition to her offensive prowess, Lattanzio selflessly took on an expanded role in the pitcher's circle, throwing nearly half of her 21.1 innings over the season's final month, including a complete-game win over UMBC on April 23. She pitched to a 0.67 ERA over her final 10.1 innings of work.
As a team, the Mountain Hawks captured their fifth consecutive Patriot League regular season championship, going 36-16 overall to produce the program's 16th consecutive 30-plus win season. Lehigh loses five seniors to graduation, including Decker and Watanabe, and returns four of its seven All-Patriot League performers in 2017 including Lattanzio, pitcher Christine Campbell, catcher Carolyn Wright and outfielder Katie Schultz.
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