Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh Welcomes Five Newcomers For 2024 Season
9/18/2023 11:44:00 AM | Softball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With the fall semester and Lehigh's fall practice segment in full swing, Lehigh head coach Fran Troyan has formally announced the addition of five newcomers that have joined the Mountain Hawks' program.
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Lehigh has added four first-year student-athletes and one transfer to its roster. The incoming group features two infielders, an outfielder, an infielder/outfielder and a pitcher that could also contribute on the infield. Three of the five newcomers hail from New Jersey, while Texas and Pennsylvania are also represented in the incoming class.
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The Mountain Hawks return all but two players from its 2023 squad, which at 40-14 delivered the sixth 40-win season in Lehigh softball history.
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More information on the newcomers can be found below.
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Maddy Clark • P/IF • Barrington, N.J. • Business
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A pitcher who can also contribute with the bat, Maddy Clark comes to Lehigh from Haddon Heights High School in New Jersey, where she was an all-state honoree and three-time first-team all-conference. Clark won a pair of New Jersey Group 2 state titles and was named the South Jersey Softball Coaches Association Player of the Year. She played her travel softball for the PA Chaos.
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Troyan on Clark: "Madison Clark combines a lot of skills. As a pitcher, she is able to mix pitches and speeds, as an infielder she provides athleticism, and as a hitter she provides RBI potential!"
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Holly Lovett • IF • Marlboro, N.J. • Arts and Sciences
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A versatile infielder, Holly Lovett attended St. John Vianney High School in New Jersey where she won a Parochial A state championship in 2023.Lovett was first team All-Shore Conference and All-Non-Pulbic as a senior and was a two-time All-State honoree, earning first team honors in 2023 and third team accolades in 2022. A two-year member of the Coaches All-Division team, Lovett played her travel softball for NJ Intensity.
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Troyan on Lovett: "Holly Lovett makes plays on defense and comes up clutch on offense. We love her versatility. We are eager to see her in action soon!"
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Julia Mrochko • IF • Drums, Pa. • Finance
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The lone transfer in the incoming class, Julia Mrochko spent her first two seasons at the University of South Florida, where she appeared in 33 games. An infielder, Mrochko earned multiple all-conference and all-state accolades at Hazelton Area High School. Mrochko played her travel softball for Rock Gold Waye, and was a two-year member of the AAC Commissioner's Honor Roll during her time at USF.
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Troyan on Mrochko: "Julia Mrochko brings a "coal region" blue collar work ethic as our lone transfer. Her steadiness off the field will translate onto the field!"
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Gracie Smith • OF • Katy, Texas • Arts and Sciences
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A speedy outfielder who also can provide some pop, Gracie Smith comes to Lehigh from Waller High School in Katy, Texas. Smith was her team's leading hitter as a senior and added first-team All-District Laurels. She played her travel softball for Blaze United. Smith's speed was also on display on the track where she was part of a district record-setting 4x400 relay team.
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Troyan on Smith: "Gracie Smith is a rare combination of game changing speed and power. She is an unbelievably tough out and has a strong accurate throw to go along with significant range in the outfield!"
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Peyton Sward • IF/OF • Florham Park, N.J. • Business
An infielder/outfielder from Hanover Park High School in New Jersey, Peyton Sward comes to Lehigh after earning first team All-State honors in New Jersey. Sward added first-team All-Group 2, all-county and all-conference honors and won a sectional state championship as a junior. The 2023 Hanover Park Outstanding Female Athlete, Sward had the third-most hits in the state in 2022. She played her travel softball for NJ Pride.
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Troyan on Sward: "Peyton Sward has great hands and a strong as an infielder. Offensively, her speed and bat control will cause havoc!"
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Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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Lehigh has added four first-year student-athletes and one transfer to its roster. The incoming group features two infielders, an outfielder, an infielder/outfielder and a pitcher that could also contribute on the infield. Three of the five newcomers hail from New Jersey, while Texas and Pennsylvania are also represented in the incoming class.
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The Mountain Hawks return all but two players from its 2023 squad, which at 40-14 delivered the sixth 40-win season in Lehigh softball history.
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More information on the newcomers can be found below.
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Maddy Clark • P/IF • Barrington, N.J. • Business
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A pitcher who can also contribute with the bat, Maddy Clark comes to Lehigh from Haddon Heights High School in New Jersey, where she was an all-state honoree and three-time first-team all-conference. Clark won a pair of New Jersey Group 2 state titles and was named the South Jersey Softball Coaches Association Player of the Year. She played her travel softball for the PA Chaos.
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Troyan on Clark: "Madison Clark combines a lot of skills. As a pitcher, she is able to mix pitches and speeds, as an infielder she provides athleticism, and as a hitter she provides RBI potential!"
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Holly Lovett • IF • Marlboro, N.J. • Arts and Sciences
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A versatile infielder, Holly Lovett attended St. John Vianney High School in New Jersey where she won a Parochial A state championship in 2023.Lovett was first team All-Shore Conference and All-Non-Pulbic as a senior and was a two-time All-State honoree, earning first team honors in 2023 and third team accolades in 2022. A two-year member of the Coaches All-Division team, Lovett played her travel softball for NJ Intensity.
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Troyan on Lovett: "Holly Lovett makes plays on defense and comes up clutch on offense. We love her versatility. We are eager to see her in action soon!"
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Julia Mrochko • IF • Drums, Pa. • Finance
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The lone transfer in the incoming class, Julia Mrochko spent her first two seasons at the University of South Florida, where she appeared in 33 games. An infielder, Mrochko earned multiple all-conference and all-state accolades at Hazelton Area High School. Mrochko played her travel softball for Rock Gold Waye, and was a two-year member of the AAC Commissioner's Honor Roll during her time at USF.
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Troyan on Mrochko: "Julia Mrochko brings a "coal region" blue collar work ethic as our lone transfer. Her steadiness off the field will translate onto the field!"
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Gracie Smith • OF • Katy, Texas • Arts and Sciences
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A speedy outfielder who also can provide some pop, Gracie Smith comes to Lehigh from Waller High School in Katy, Texas. Smith was her team's leading hitter as a senior and added first-team All-District Laurels. She played her travel softball for Blaze United. Smith's speed was also on display on the track where she was part of a district record-setting 4x400 relay team.
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Troyan on Smith: "Gracie Smith is a rare combination of game changing speed and power. She is an unbelievably tough out and has a strong accurate throw to go along with significant range in the outfield!"
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Peyton Sward • IF/OF • Florham Park, N.J. • Business
An infielder/outfielder from Hanover Park High School in New Jersey, Peyton Sward comes to Lehigh after earning first team All-State honors in New Jersey. Sward added first-team All-Group 2, all-county and all-conference honors and won a sectional state championship as a junior. The 2023 Hanover Park Outstanding Female Athlete, Sward had the third-most hits in the state in 2022. She played her travel softball for NJ Pride.
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Troyan on Sward: "Peyton Sward has great hands and a strong as an infielder. Offensively, her speed and bat control will cause havoc!"
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Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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