June 1, 2005

Bethlehem, PA - Prior to making their second consecutive NCAA regional appearance, the Lehigh softball program held its season-end banquet to reflect on the 2005 season. The evening featured dinner, the presentation of awards, reflections from team members and remarks from Head Coach Fran Troyan as the Mountain Hawks celebrated their seventh straight Patriot League championship and second consecutive tournament title.

The Athlete of the Year Award, which is presented to the team member who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team was given to senior pitcher Emily Ling. Arguably the best ever to step into the pitching circle for the Brown and White, Ling wrapped up a stellar career with a 20-6 record. Along the way she became the first Lehigh pitcher to win 20 games in a season and established new school and Patriot League records for career wins (65) and strikeouts (610). Ling was instrumental in Lehigh's Patriot League title run, as she went 3-0 with a 0.67 ERA and was named Tournament Most Valuable Player.

The Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, which is presented to the student-athlete who in the eyes of his teammates exemplifies the ideal of the scholar-athlete, was given to junior Ali Linsk. A behavioral neuroscience major, Linsk boasts a 3.84 grade point average and was named the team's scholar-athlete for the second straight year. On the field Linsk appeared in 32 games for the Mountain Hawks, scoring 15 runs.

The Coaches Award, which is awarded to the individual who made significant contributions to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement or special leadership, was given to senior third baseman Kelly Kliewer. A team captain, Kliewer led the Mountain Hawks with a .355 batting average and a .495 slugging percentage. Despite suffering a season-ending injury in the Patriot League Tournament, Kliewer continued to assert herself as a team leader throughout the championship run.

The 2005 Mountain Hawks established a new school and Patriot League record for wins in a season with 41. Lehigh advanced to the NCAA regional Tournament where the Mountain Hawks went 0-2, losing to Arizona and Princeton in Tucson.