Sward, Fricker Named First Team All-Patriot League

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh's middle infield duo of sophomore Kelly Fricker and junior Peyton Sward garnered first team All-Patriot League honors as the league announced its postseason softball awards Tuesday afternoon.

Both Mountain Hawks garnered first team honors for the second consecutive season, with Sward now a three-time All-Patriot League honoree after being named to the second team as a first-year.

Fricker moved to second base in 2026 after playing right field predominantly as a first-year. She put together one of the finest all-around offensive seasons in program history. Fricker hit a Patriot League-best .434 and set a school record with 82 base hits. She scored 53 runs and drove in 50, ranking second in program annals in those respective single season lists. Thirty-one of Fricker's 82 hits went for extra bases, with 19 doubles, four triples and eight home runs as the West Chester, Pa., product led Lehigh in all of those offensive categories.

In her third season as Lehigh's starting shortstop, Sward batted .371, second only to Fricker on the Mountain Hawks. Sward stole a team-leading 19 bases in 22 attempts and ranked second on the team with 35 runs scored, 63 hits and three triples. She also drove in 34 runs out of the No. 2 spot in Lehigh's batting order after recording just 28 RBIs over her first two seasons. Sward batted .305 in 18 Patriot League contests with 18 hits, nine RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Regular season champion Boston University claimed four of the five major awards, with outfielder Kylie Doherty winning Player of the Year, Kasey Ricard taking home Pitcher of the Year, second baseman Brooke Deppiesse garnering Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Ashley Waters leading the Coaching Staff of the Year. Colgate infielder Marina Taveras was named Rookie of the Year.

The major awards and all-league teams are voted on by the league's head coaches.

2026 Patriot League Softball Major Award Winners
Player of the Year - Kylie Doherty, Boston University
Pitcher of the Year - Kasey Ricard, Boston University
Defensive Player of the Year - Brooke Deppiesse, Boston University
Rookie of the Year - Marina Taveras, Colgate
Coaching Staff of the Year - Boston University, Head Coach Ashley Waters; Assistant Coaches: Becca Carden, Allie Brewster

First Team All-League*
Ashton White, Army West Point, Sr., INF
Hannah Laub, Army West Point, So., INF
Brooke Deppiesse, Boston University, Sr., INF
Kelly Fricker, Lehigh, So., INF
Kylie Doherty, Boston University, Jr., OF
Nora Megenity, Colgate, Jr., OF
Kayla Martin, Colgate, Fy., OF
Caitlyn Newburn, Army West Point, Sr., DP
Lily Haluska, Colgate, So., C
Taylor Brown, Army West Point, Jr., At-Large
Peyton Sward, Lehigh, Jr., At-Large
Amanda Eaglin, Army West Point, Sr., P
Kasey Ricard, Boston University, Sr., P

Second Team All-League
Megan Coyle, Boston University, Sr., INF
Kyomi Apalit, Boston University, Jr., INF
Marina Taveras, Colgate, Fy., INF
Kylee Sweet, Lafayette, Sr., INF
Breanna Coonfare, Army West Point, So., OF
Sienna Tepley, Army West Point, So., OF
Camryn Lyons, Boston University, So., OF
Sophie Naivar, Boston University, Jr., DP
Livia Christopher, Boston University, Jr., C
Sarah Zimmerman, Bucknell, Jr., At-Large
Breanna Izzo, Army West Point, Sr., P
Kelcie McGraw, Colgate, Fy., P

*Additional member added to the first team due to a tie in voting

Completed Event: Softball versus Lafayette on May 3, 2026 , Win , 8, to, 1

Completed Event: Softball versus Lafayette on May 2, 2026 , Loss , 4, to, 5

Completed Event: Softball versus Lafayette on May 2, 2026 , Loss , 9, to, 12

Completed Event: Softball at Villanova on April 28, 2026 , Win , 5, to, 0

Completed Event: Softball versus Hofstra on April 26, 2026 , Win , 7, to, 1

Completed Event: Softball versus Georgetown on April 26, 2026 , Win , 8, to, 6

Completed Event: Softball at Rutgers on April 24, 2026 , Loss , 3, to, 8

Lehigh University Athletics

Sward, Fricker Named First Team All-Patriot League

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Kelly Fricker

Peyton Sward

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