Photo by: Matt Woolverton
Barjaktarovich Named Scholar-Athlete of the Year; Joined By O'Rourke on Academic All-League Team
5/17/2021 10:00:00 AM | Softball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh junior shortstop Carley Barjaktarovich has been named the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for softball, the league announced Monday. The 2021 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year picks up her second major postseason award. Barjaktarovich is also a member of the Academic All-Patriot League team, where she is joined by her fellow junior captain and middle infield partner Karsen O'Rourke.
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Academic All-Patriot League teams are voted on by the league's sports information directors. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and be a starter or key player in his/her sport. Freshmen or students in their first academic year at their school are not eligible for the honor.
Barjaktarovich carries a 3.84 cumulative GPA as a marketing major. The Richmond, Michigan native is a two-year member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and has made Lehigh's Dean's List with a GPA greater than 3.60 in each of her first five semesters on campus. Barjaktarovich is involved in Lehigh's Athletics Department as a leader in Lehigh's Student-Athlete Mentors (SAM) organization.
Earlier this month, Barjaktarovich won three awards at Lehigh's University Awards Convocation: the Contribution to Student Life Award, the Student Senate Leadership Award and the Class of 1904 Award.
On the field, Barjaktarovich was recognized as the top defensive player in the Patriot League and Lehigh's leading hitter and the spark plug atop the Mountain Hawks' batting order. A second-team All-Patriot League selection, Barjaktarovich finished with a .471 batting average, the second-highest single season total in school history. She leads the Patriot League with 57 hits and 19 stolen bases and ranks second in the league with 36 runs scored. Barjaktarovich was named to the All-Patriot League Tournament team after going 9-for-12 at the plate in four games with three runs scored.
Barjaktarovich becomes the 10th different Lehigh softball player to win Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the first since Carolyn Wright in 2017.
O'Rourke was also second team All-Patriot League honoree at second base. She tied for fourth on the Mountain Hawks with a .295 batting average and ranks third on the team with 15 runs batted in. O'Rourke hit .323 with 12 RBIs during the Patriot League regular season. In the Patriot League Tournament, O'Rourke had a RBI single and a run scored in Lehigh's opening win over Colgate and went 2-for-3 in Saturday's championship game against Boston University.
Academially, O'Rourke holds a 3.80 GPA majoring in earth and environmental science. She is a two-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, a four-time Dean's List student and earned a 4.0 GPA in the 2020 fall semester.
The Mountain Hawks reached the championship round of the Patriot League Tournament for the fourth straight time, ultimately finishing second to Boston University for the third consecutive tournament. Lehigh finished the 2021 season with an 18-16 record.
2021 Patriot League Softball Scholar-Athlete: Carley Barjaktarovich, Lehigh, Jr.
Academic All-League
Alicyn Grete, Army West Point, So.
Nicole Amodio, Boston University, Jr.
Caitlin Coker, Boston University, So.
Emily Gant, Boston University, Jr.
Jess Hom, Bucknell, Sr.
Steph Jacoby, Colgate, So.
Virginia Irby, Colgate, Gr.
Kelly Nelson, Holy Cross, Jr.
Natasha Miner, Lafayette, Jr.
Morgan Olynyk, Lafayette, So.
Karsen O'Rourke, Lehigh, Jr.
Carley Barjaktarovich, Lehigh, Jr.
Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Academic All-Patriot League teams are voted on by the league's sports information directors. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and be a starter or key player in his/her sport. Freshmen or students in their first academic year at their school are not eligible for the honor.
Barjaktarovich carries a 3.84 cumulative GPA as a marketing major. The Richmond, Michigan native is a two-year member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and has made Lehigh's Dean's List with a GPA greater than 3.60 in each of her first five semesters on campus. Barjaktarovich is involved in Lehigh's Athletics Department as a leader in Lehigh's Student-Athlete Mentors (SAM) organization.
Earlier this month, Barjaktarovich won three awards at Lehigh's University Awards Convocation: the Contribution to Student Life Award, the Student Senate Leadership Award and the Class of 1904 Award.
On the field, Barjaktarovich was recognized as the top defensive player in the Patriot League and Lehigh's leading hitter and the spark plug atop the Mountain Hawks' batting order. A second-team All-Patriot League selection, Barjaktarovich finished with a .471 batting average, the second-highest single season total in school history. She leads the Patriot League with 57 hits and 19 stolen bases and ranks second in the league with 36 runs scored. Barjaktarovich was named to the All-Patriot League Tournament team after going 9-for-12 at the plate in four games with three runs scored.
Barjaktarovich becomes the 10th different Lehigh softball player to win Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the first since Carolyn Wright in 2017.
O'Rourke was also second team All-Patriot League honoree at second base. She tied for fourth on the Mountain Hawks with a .295 batting average and ranks third on the team with 15 runs batted in. O'Rourke hit .323 with 12 RBIs during the Patriot League regular season. In the Patriot League Tournament, O'Rourke had a RBI single and a run scored in Lehigh's opening win over Colgate and went 2-for-3 in Saturday's championship game against Boston University.
Academially, O'Rourke holds a 3.80 GPA majoring in earth and environmental science. She is a two-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, a four-time Dean's List student and earned a 4.0 GPA in the 2020 fall semester.
The Mountain Hawks reached the championship round of the Patriot League Tournament for the fourth straight time, ultimately finishing second to Boston University for the third consecutive tournament. Lehigh finished the 2021 season with an 18-16 record.
2021 Patriot League Softball Scholar-Athlete: Carley Barjaktarovich, Lehigh, Jr.
Academic All-League
Alicyn Grete, Army West Point, So.
Nicole Amodio, Boston University, Jr.
Caitlin Coker, Boston University, So.
Emily Gant, Boston University, Jr.
Jess Hom, Bucknell, Sr.
Steph Jacoby, Colgate, So.
Virginia Irby, Colgate, Gr.
Kelly Nelson, Holy Cross, Jr.
Natasha Miner, Lafayette, Jr.
Morgan Olynyk, Lafayette, So.
Karsen O'Rourke, Lehigh, Jr.
Carley Barjaktarovich, Lehigh, Jr.
Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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