June 18, 2008
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh junior Lisa Sweeney capped off a record-setting 2008 season by being named ECAC Division I Softball Player of the Year, it was announced on Wednesday. Sweeney was named a second team ECAC All-Star as a pitcher, and garnered Player of the Year honors by way of her being named Patriot League Player and Pitcher of the Year last month.
A driving force behind the Mountain Hawks' fourth Patriot League tournament title in the last five years, Sweeney excelled both at the plate and in the pitcher's circle in 2008. She was named Patriot League Pitcher of the Year after compiling a 26-5 record and 1.71 ERA. Sweeney tied her own Patriot League single season record for victories, and broke her own school and league mark with 304 strikeouts this past season.
A three-time NFCA first team Mid-Atlantic All-Region selection, Sweeney also became the Patriot League's career leader in wins (71) and strikeouts (687) and was named Most Valuable Player at the league tournament during the 2008 campaign.
Sweeney also emerged as a force at the plate, where she put up career best numbers and led the Patriot League in nine major offensive categories. The Lumberton, N.J. native batted a league best .414 with a Lehigh single-season record 13 home runs and 49 runs batted in. Sweeney also led the league win hits (67), runs (46), total bases (117), walks (42), on base percentage (.527) and slugging percentage (.722). She became the only player in the nation to lead her league in the three offensive triple crown categories and the three pitching triple crown categories.
Also announced on Wednesday were the ECAC's Pitcher and Rookie of the Year, as well as the ECAC All-Star teams. UMass junior Brandice Balschmiter repeated as Pitcher of the Year, while Lindsey Maroney was named Rookie of the Year.
Sweeney's appointment to the second team marks the second straight year Lehigh had softball student-athletes named ECAC All-Stars. Sweeney and Kate Marvel were both named first team ECAC All-Stars last season.
