Mountain Hawks have three named All-Region
Posted: May 18, 2009
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Prior to its run to the finals of the NCAA Gainesville regional, Lehigh placed three student-athletes on the NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region teams, which were announced before regional play began last week. Senior Lisa Sweeney became Lehigh’s first four-time first-team All-Region selection as she was named as a pitcher-utility. Sweeney was joined on the All-Region team by senior Alisha Gonzales, who was selected as a utility player and freshman Julie Fernandez who made the team at first base.
The three selections mark the seventh straight year that Lehigh has an All-Region selection in softball and it’s the fourth straight season that the Mountain Hawks have had multiple All-Region selections.
Sweeney caps off one of the finest careers in Lehigh and Patriot League history with her fourth All-Region nod. Also a four-time first-team All-Patriot League selection and the four-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year, Sweeney put together a 23-10 senior season with a league-best 2.15 earned-run average, nine shutouts and 241 strikeouts. She will graduate as the Patriot League’s career leader in victories (94) and strikeouts (928).
At the plate, Sweeney batted a robust .360 and led the Mountain Hawks with seven home runs and 36 RBI. Sweeney also will graduate as Lehigh’s career leader in home runs with 23.
Gonzales earned the first All-Region nod of her career, posting an impressive senior season with a .336 average, four home runs and 29 RBI. Named to the All-Patriot League first team as a designated player, Gonzales was the Mountain Hawks’ top offensive threat in league games, batting .438 with three home runs and 16 driven in against league foes.
The Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year, Fernandez impressed as a freshman in the No. 3 spot in the Mountain Hawks batting order. Fernandez finished the regular season batting a league-best .407 and ended the season hitting .382 with 14 doubles, four home runs and 31 runs batted in.
The Mountain Hawks finished their season with a 38-18-1 record after bowing to No. 1 Florida in the Gainesville regional final on Sunday. Lehigh has now won at least 35 games in nine straight years and has captured five of the last six Patriot League tournament titles.