BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head coach Fran Troyan has announced the addition of five student-athletes that will join the Mountain Hawks program in the fall. The Mountain Hawks captured their 12th Patriot League title in 2012 and advanced to the NCAA Regional tournament for the seventh time in the last nine years. All five members of the incoming class are field players, as Lehigh looks to replace an accomplished group of four seniors lost to graduation.
“We’re certainly looking to replace one of the strongest classes in Lehigh softball history,” Troyan said of his 2012 graduates Jen Colquhoun, Julie Fernandez, Tenley Halaquist and Audra Wood. “We feel that this incoming group has a chance to be very special as well.”
Four states are represented in the class, covering the northeast, south and the softball hotbed that is California.
The Mountain Hawks return 14 players from their 2012 championship team, including six All-Patriot League performers. More information on the newcomers can be found below.
Jessica Calvini • IF/OF • Mamaroneck, N.Y. • Arts and Sciences
The versatile Jessica Calvini leads off the incoming class. Calvini comes to Lehigh from Rye Neck High School in Mamaroneck, N.Y., just north of New York City. An All-State performer in the pitcher’s circle, Calvini set numerous pitching and hitting records for her high school. Calvini is a member of the New Jersey Intensity, one of the top travel teams in the northeast.
Troyan on Calvini: “Jessica was an All-State pitcher and has set numerous pitching and hitting records for her high school. We recruited her as a hitter. We look for Jessica to compete for playing time at first base or in the outfield.”
Morgan Decker • IF • Jamison, Pa. • Arts and Sciences
Morgan Decker will make the short trip up from Bucks County to play a corner infield spot for the Mountain Hawks. Decker played third base for Central Bucks High School South and helped lead her team to the Pennsylvania AAAA State Championship in 2012. She was named the Doylestown Intelligencer’s 2012 Softball Player of the Year after hitting .473 as a senior with 35 runs scored, 11 doubles, five home runs and 36 RBIs. Decker is a three-time All-Suburban One League Continental Conference first team selection.
Troyan on Decker: “I first saw Morgan play when she was ten years old. Her little league team beat my daughter’s team in the state finals. She could hit then and she can hit now. We’re looking forward to an incredibly productive career for Morgan.”
MacKenzie Velasquez • OF • Plano, Texas • Arts and Sciences
Continuing a recent tradition of bringing in players from Texas, MacKenzie Velasquez comes to Lehigh from Plano High School. Velasquez is an outfielder and a strong hitter, who batted third for one of the top high school programs in Texas.
Troyan on Velasquez: “MacKenzie’s high school team was one of the top teams in Texas over the last two seasons. She was a key contributor to her team’s success.”
Alexis Watanabe • IF • San Marino, Calif. • Arts and Sciences
A speedy infielder who has already earned the nickname “Ninja”, Alexis Watanabe comes to Lehigh from San Marino High School, not far from Pasadena, California. Watanabe was named to the All-CIF South Section Division first team as a senior. She batted .508 as a senior with a .587 on base percentage and a .778 slugging percentage. Watanabe played her travel ball for SGV Velocity.
Troyan on Watanabe: “Alexis reminds me very much of (former four-time All-Patriot League selection) Kate Marvel. She is a true triple threat offensively. You can see by the way she plays that she loves the game.”
Carissa Zito • IF • Anaheim, Calif. • Arts and Sciences
Rounding out the class of 2016 is Carissa Zito from Valencia High School in Orange County, California. A versatile and athletic infielder, Zito plays her travel softball of the OC Lionettes and will bring a strong competitive fire to the Brown and White.
Troyan on Zito: “We love the way Carissa competes on the field. She’s very athletic and will look to fill an infield position for us.”
Lehigh Softball Class of 2016
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Name
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Pos.
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Hometown/High School
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College
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Jessica Calvini
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IF/OF
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Mamaroneck, N.Y./Rye Neck
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Arts and Sciences
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Morgan Decker
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IF
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Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks South
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Arts and Sciences
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MacKenzie Velasquez
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OF
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Plano, Texas/Plano
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Arts and Sciences
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Alexis Watanabe
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IF
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San Marino, Calif./San Marino
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Arts and Sciences
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Carissa Zito
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IF
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Anaheim, Calif./Valencia
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Arts and Sciences
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