Lehigh softball senior reflections
4/27/2017 2:54:00 PM | Softball, Features
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh softball program will recognize its three-member senior class prior to Sunday's series finale against Army West Point. The Mountain Hawks' class of 2017 has experienced success on and off the field. Lehigh has won 69 percent of its games over the last three-plus seasons, including three straight Patriot League regular season titles and the 2015 tournament championship.
The trio has combined for five All-Patriot League honors for on-field performance, while in the classroom Lehigh's three seniors hold an impressive 3.13 cumulative GPA.
With Senior Day festivities set for Sunday, Lehighsports.com caught up with the three members of the Lehigh softball class of 2017.
#3 Ashley Cole – Outfield – Purcellville, Va. – Accounting
What's your favorite Lehigh Softball memory up until this point?
AC: My favorite Lehigh softball memory is our season opening trip to play in Florida this year. We played well as a team and had so much fun the first weekend out. It really showed how great our team chemistry is this season and the potential we have to accomplish a lot this year.
What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
AC: I want to be remembered as a determined competitor who never gives up and as one of the hardest working players on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom. I also want my teammates to remember me as someone they can depend on and someone who has helped make their Lehigh softball experience more enjoyable and fun. This is the legacy I hope to leave as well as hopefully being part of a second Patriot League Championship team.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AC: I feel like I've known Vicky and Christine for so much longer than our time in college and they have made these four years the most memorable of my life. We all have pretty different personalities and this is one of the things that makes us such great friends and teammates. We fight like we're sisters and it's mostly because we spend every second of the day together but we always end up as best friends and I would do absolutely anything for them and I know they would do the same for me.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of your thoughts as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AC: I'm really excited for our upcoming senior day. I'm excited to share the day with my two best friends and celebrate our time together as Lehigh softball players. We play Army so I know we will have some tough games. While I am sad my collegiate career is coming to an end, I would not have wanted to end it with any other team than this group of girls and I know we still have a lot to accomplish together this season.
What will you miss most about Lehigh softball?
AC: The thing I will miss most about Lehigh softball is game day and everything that comes with it. I love eating breakfast at the Goose with my teammates, blasting music in our locker room while we get dressed, and all the traditions we do together pregame. I will also miss the competition of game day and the feeling of joy and accomplishment after coming out on top in a close game with my teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AC: I will be pursuing a career in accounting. I have accepted a position to work for RSM as a Tax Associate and will be living in the D.C. area starting next fall.
#7 Vicky Lattanzio – First Base/Utility – Fishkill, N.Y. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Softball memory up until this point?
VL: Awaiting our placement in the NCAA tournament during the Selection Show my sophomore year as we were surrounded by everyone who supported us. Reality finally set in that we just won a Patriot League Championship and that we earned the opportunity to compete at an NCAA Regional. As a young girl, playing softball, your biggest dream one day is to end up playing on the big stage and watching LEHIGH pop up on the TV to play at Oklahoma was very gratifying.
What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
VL: I would like to be remembered as someone who always put the best interest of my team, friends, and colleagues before myself. Also, as someone who lead with passion and diligence day in and day out. Establishing a strong team culture where teammates feel confident and comfortable is key to having a successful season. With that being said, the legacy I wish to leave at Lehigh is for my teammates, friends, coaches, etc. to remember how passionate I felt about team culture and how hard my senior class as a whole has worked to create and maintain it during our time here.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
VL: The relationship with my fellow seniors is quite unique. As there are only three of us, we have become sisters over the last four years. Our personalities complement one another very well. There have been days where we cannot be separated and there have been days where we'll scream at each other; however, my senior class has made my college experience much greater than I could have asked for. I am so grateful to have Christine and Ashley in my life and no doubt will we be remaining best friends for life.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of your thoughts as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
VL: Senior Day is scary. It feels like just yesterday, I was taking defensive reps on Kaufman Field for the first time. However, there's an excitement going into Senior Day as well because looking back, these four years have been incredible. I've grown tremendously through the amazing opportunities Lehigh softball has presented me. As I near the end of my collegiate career, there is a sense of satisfaction in that I've gotten the very most out of my softball career, but, I will not be fully satisfied until I complete my final goal of senior year: Win a Patriot League Championship and compete at Regionals.
What will you miss most about Lehigh softball?
VL: There's no doubt that what I will miss most about Lehigh softball is the amazing teammates that have entered my life because of it. I've been through thick and thin with these girls where I've looked to them to lift me up in times of struggle and they've looked to me to be the leader I was capable of being. We work hard and we have a lot of fun. Upon graduation, I know I'm leaving with lifelong friendships and some crazy awesome memories.
What are your postgraduate plans?
VL: Beginning this summer, I will be working for Fortitude Systems/AIM Group in Falls Church, Va. I am super excited to start the next chapter of my life in a new area and to put all the wonderful things Lehigh has taught me to the test.
#11 Christine Campbell – Pitcher – San Diego, Calif. – Finance
What's your favorite Lehigh Softball memory up until this point?
CC: My favorite memory was going to NCAA Regionals my sophomore year. I have watched it every year growing up and being able to compete and win at that level with these girls was everything I could have asked for.
What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
CC: I would like to be remembered for bringing the team together by having a relationship with each girl that I have played with at Lehigh.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CC: Vicky and Ashley are my best friends. They are the reason Lehigh has been the best four years of my life. They are my family and that will never change, even if I do get on their nerves. We have been inseparable since we became close second semester freshman year. They are the shoulders I have to cry on and the people that make me laugh almost every day.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of your thoughts as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CC: My first thought is I should have watched the movie Peaceful Warrior my freshman year. Maybe I would have enjoyed the journey a little more from the beginning and worried less about the outcomes. My second thought is no matter where life takes me I know I can always fall back on any of these girls. My third thought would be that I couldn't have asked for a better college athletics experience and it is all thanks to the entire Lehigh community.
What will you miss most about Lehigh softball?
CC: I will miss the little moments with each and every player on this team. They all bring something different and the mix of individuality truly makes each day a new experience.
What are your postgraduate plans?
CC: I am playing softball for the Irish National team and a Netherlands Club team until October. After October I am undecided but I am currently looking for a job.
The trio has combined for five All-Patriot League honors for on-field performance, while in the classroom Lehigh's three seniors hold an impressive 3.13 cumulative GPA.
With Senior Day festivities set for Sunday, Lehighsports.com caught up with the three members of the Lehigh softball class of 2017.
#3 Ashley Cole – Outfield – Purcellville, Va. – Accounting
What's your favorite Lehigh Softball memory up until this point?
AC: My favorite Lehigh softball memory is our season opening trip to play in Florida this year. We played well as a team and had so much fun the first weekend out. It really showed how great our team chemistry is this season and the potential we have to accomplish a lot this year.
What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
AC: I want to be remembered as a determined competitor who never gives up and as one of the hardest working players on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom. I also want my teammates to remember me as someone they can depend on and someone who has helped make their Lehigh softball experience more enjoyable and fun. This is the legacy I hope to leave as well as hopefully being part of a second Patriot League Championship team.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AC: I feel like I've known Vicky and Christine for so much longer than our time in college and they have made these four years the most memorable of my life. We all have pretty different personalities and this is one of the things that makes us such great friends and teammates. We fight like we're sisters and it's mostly because we spend every second of the day together but we always end up as best friends and I would do absolutely anything for them and I know they would do the same for me.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of your thoughts as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AC: I'm really excited for our upcoming senior day. I'm excited to share the day with my two best friends and celebrate our time together as Lehigh softball players. We play Army so I know we will have some tough games. While I am sad my collegiate career is coming to an end, I would not have wanted to end it with any other team than this group of girls and I know we still have a lot to accomplish together this season.
What will you miss most about Lehigh softball?
AC: The thing I will miss most about Lehigh softball is game day and everything that comes with it. I love eating breakfast at the Goose with my teammates, blasting music in our locker room while we get dressed, and all the traditions we do together pregame. I will also miss the competition of game day and the feeling of joy and accomplishment after coming out on top in a close game with my teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AC: I will be pursuing a career in accounting. I have accepted a position to work for RSM as a Tax Associate and will be living in the D.C. area starting next fall.
#7 Vicky Lattanzio – First Base/Utility – Fishkill, N.Y. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Softball memory up until this point?
VL: Awaiting our placement in the NCAA tournament during the Selection Show my sophomore year as we were surrounded by everyone who supported us. Reality finally set in that we just won a Patriot League Championship and that we earned the opportunity to compete at an NCAA Regional. As a young girl, playing softball, your biggest dream one day is to end up playing on the big stage and watching LEHIGH pop up on the TV to play at Oklahoma was very gratifying.
What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
VL: I would like to be remembered as someone who always put the best interest of my team, friends, and colleagues before myself. Also, as someone who lead with passion and diligence day in and day out. Establishing a strong team culture where teammates feel confident and comfortable is key to having a successful season. With that being said, the legacy I wish to leave at Lehigh is for my teammates, friends, coaches, etc. to remember how passionate I felt about team culture and how hard my senior class as a whole has worked to create and maintain it during our time here.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
VL: The relationship with my fellow seniors is quite unique. As there are only three of us, we have become sisters over the last four years. Our personalities complement one another very well. There have been days where we cannot be separated and there have been days where we'll scream at each other; however, my senior class has made my college experience much greater than I could have asked for. I am so grateful to have Christine and Ashley in my life and no doubt will we be remaining best friends for life.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of your thoughts as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
VL: Senior Day is scary. It feels like just yesterday, I was taking defensive reps on Kaufman Field for the first time. However, there's an excitement going into Senior Day as well because looking back, these four years have been incredible. I've grown tremendously through the amazing opportunities Lehigh softball has presented me. As I near the end of my collegiate career, there is a sense of satisfaction in that I've gotten the very most out of my softball career, but, I will not be fully satisfied until I complete my final goal of senior year: Win a Patriot League Championship and compete at Regionals.
What will you miss most about Lehigh softball?
VL: There's no doubt that what I will miss most about Lehigh softball is the amazing teammates that have entered my life because of it. I've been through thick and thin with these girls where I've looked to them to lift me up in times of struggle and they've looked to me to be the leader I was capable of being. We work hard and we have a lot of fun. Upon graduation, I know I'm leaving with lifelong friendships and some crazy awesome memories.
What are your postgraduate plans?
VL: Beginning this summer, I will be working for Fortitude Systems/AIM Group in Falls Church, Va. I am super excited to start the next chapter of my life in a new area and to put all the wonderful things Lehigh has taught me to the test.
#11 Christine Campbell – Pitcher – San Diego, Calif. – Finance
What's your favorite Lehigh Softball memory up until this point?
CC: My favorite memory was going to NCAA Regionals my sophomore year. I have watched it every year growing up and being able to compete and win at that level with these girls was everything I could have asked for.
What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
CC: I would like to be remembered for bringing the team together by having a relationship with each girl that I have played with at Lehigh.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CC: Vicky and Ashley are my best friends. They are the reason Lehigh has been the best four years of my life. They are my family and that will never change, even if I do get on their nerves. We have been inseparable since we became close second semester freshman year. They are the shoulders I have to cry on and the people that make me laugh almost every day.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of your thoughts as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CC: My first thought is I should have watched the movie Peaceful Warrior my freshman year. Maybe I would have enjoyed the journey a little more from the beginning and worried less about the outcomes. My second thought is no matter where life takes me I know I can always fall back on any of these girls. My third thought would be that I couldn't have asked for a better college athletics experience and it is all thanks to the entire Lehigh community.
What will you miss most about Lehigh softball?
CC: I will miss the little moments with each and every player on this team. They all bring something different and the mix of individuality truly makes each day a new experience.
What are your postgraduate plans?
CC: I am playing softball for the Irish National team and a Netherlands Club team until October. After October I am undecided but I am currently looking for a job.
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