Lehigh gets major awards; gets set to host the Patriot League softball tourney

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER Lehigh's softball team secured some major awards on Tuesday as it prepares to host the Patriot League tournament beginning Thursday. The Mountain Hawks, by the way, are huge favorites to win another league and secure another NCAA Tournament berth. They are 37-17 overall, 18-2 in the league. Senior shortstop Jen Colquhoun, one of the many California kids on the Lehigh roster, was named the league’s Player of the Year after compiling one of the best offensive seasons in school history. She has tied a Lehigh single-season record with 13 home runs and leads the Patriot League in home runs, RBI (47) and triples (six) and runs scored (48). Colquhoun is tied with teammate Julie Fernandez for the league lead with 69 hits and ranks second in the league and 11th nationally with a .442 batting average. In league games, Colquhoun played in 18 of Lehigh's contests, batting a league-best .533 with five home rns and 25 RBIs in those games. She also became a four-time all-Patriot League selection and a three-time first team choice. Colquhoun was one of nine player to receive all-league recognition, including seven first-teamers. In addition, Lehigh coach Fran Troyan was named the league's Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his 17 seasons. Lehigh began 1-6, but roared to another regular season Patriot League title, winning it by four games. Lehigh boasts the league’s top offense (.317 team avg.) and pitching staff (1.79 ERA) and has been tough to beat at home (16-2) and are riding a 12-game home winning streak. Troyan was previously won this award in 1997, 2005 and most recently, he shared the award in 2007. Here's the schedule for the league tournament: 2012 Patriot League Softball Tournament Thursday, May 10 Game one: No. 1 Lehigh vs. No. 4 Lafayette, 12 p.m. Game two: No. 2 Army vs. No. 3 Colgate, 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 11 Game three: Game one winner vs. Game two winner, 11 a.m. Game four: Game one loser vs. Game two loser, 1:30 p.m. Game five: Game four winner vs. Game three loser, 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13 Game six: Game three winner vs. Game five winner, 12 p.m. Game seven: Game six rematch (if necessary), 2:30 p.m.