Posted: 05/31/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh softball team enjoyed another outstanding season in 2012, one which culminated in the program’s second straight Patriot League Championship and its seventh in the last nine years. The Mountain Hawks won at least 30 games for the 12th straight year and posted the fourth 40-win season in school history.
After claiming the Patriot League regular season title, Lehigh went on to win its 12th tournament crown posting three consecutive shutouts in the tournament to capture the trophy. The Mountain Hawks then went on to the NCAA Regional Tournament in Norman, Oklahoma, where they matched up with Women’s College World Series participant Oklahoma and Pac-12 member Oregon State. Following the completion of Lehigh’s Regional run, head coach Fran Troyan announced his team award winners for the 2012 season.
All three of Lehigh’s department awards went to seniors. First baseman Julie Fernandez received the Outstanding Athlete Award, which is given to the team member who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team. Fernandez capped a sensational Lehigh career with a senior season that established her as one of the best pure hitters in school and league history. A four-time first team All-Patriot League selection and a three-time NFCA All-Region selection, Fernandez led the Patriot League and ranked in the top ten nationally in batting with a .441 average. She set a school and league single-season record with 22 doubles, while adding four home runs and 48 runs batted in. In the Patriot League Tournament, Fernandez broke the school and Patriot League career record for hits and finished her illustrious career with 263. She also owns school and league career records with 64 doubles.
Shortstop Jen Colquhoun was the recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the ideal of the scholar-athlete. Colquhoun won her third consecutive Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award in 2012 and followed that up by becoming Lehigh’s first-ever first team CoSIDA Academic All-American. Colquhoun graduated with a 3.77 grade point average in Biochemistry. On the field, Colquhoun is a four-time All-Patriot League selection and was the 2012 Patriot League Player of the Year. She saved her best softball for her final season in the Brown and White as she batted .440 in 57 games. Colquhoun tied a school single-season record with 13 home runs, and led the Patriot League in runs scored (50), triples (six) and, home runs, while tying for the league lead with 48 RBI. She also went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Lehigh’s recent NCAA Regional appearance in Norman, Okla.
The Coaches Award is given to the individual who made significant contribution to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement or special leadership. This year, the award went to outfielder Audra Wood. A team captain and Lehigh’s starting left fielder, Wood was one of the hardest-working players on the team and also served as one of its emotional leaders. After three years in the leadoff spot, Wood selflessly moved into the No. 2 hole in Lehigh’s lineup for the better of the team. She responded by earning first team All-Patriot League honors, batting .287 with 50 hits and 47 runs scored. Wood set a Lehigh and Patriot League record with 172 career runs scored, with the record-breaking run coming on a bases-loaded walk against Oregon State in the NCAA Regional.
The Mountain Hawks finished the season with a 40-19 overall record that included an 18-2 Patriot League mark. During the regular season, Lehigh split a doubleheader with Super Regional participant Hofstra and split a four-game series with Regional finalist Harvard. Lehigh’s three senior award winners, plus senior Tenley Halaquist, won three Patriot League titles and played in three NCAA tournaments in their four-year Mountain Hawk careers.