The Brown & White

The softball team will travel to Kissimmee, Fla. to kick off the Rebel Spring Games Saturday.

After starting 4-0, the Mountain Hawks will take on Detroit University and Fairfield College, beginning a string of 10 games in just six days.

The Hawks took the field for the first time this season last weekend when they beat Charleston Southern University, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Delaware State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensborough.

Senior captain and outfielder Kate Marvel said the team was excited to start the season and finally play outside.

"After the first weekend I was really happy how well it went," Marvel said. "It was nerve-racking coming out onto the field after being inside for the past month. It is always an adjustment going from the hard ground with sneakers to the dirt and spikes."

The team outscored its opponents 27-4 in its first four games. Marvel said the adjustment wasn't too hard for the Hawks to make.

"This weekend, though, it seemed like that wasn't an issue at all," she said. "We're off to a really good start and I can't wait to see what's to come."

Marvel went 7-15 at the plate in the four games, drove in five runs. Marvel's achievements earned her the Patriot League player of the week honor, a title she's earned twice in her career. She was also named the Patriot League player of the year last season.

The team's recent road trip was also filled with milestones for other Hawks.

Junior pitcher Lisa Sweeney went 2-0 and struck out a career-high 16 batters in a one-hitter against Charleston Southern University on Saturday.

Sweeney added four scoreless innings in relief and only allowed two hits on Sunday when the Hawks took on UNC Greensborough. In those four innings, Sweeney struck out her 400th career batter. She was named Patriot League pitcher of the week. She has now recieved the honor nine times.

Sweeney said the team's work in the preseason has showed so far.

"We certainly worked very hard during preseason and came out with four well played games," Sweeney said. "We still have a lot to work on, but it was good to start out on a high note."

Head Coach Fran Troyan also set a personal milestone on their road trip. Troyan, who is in his 13th season as head coach for the Mountain Hawks, won his 400th career game on Sunday, after the Hawks defeated Delaware State University 12-1.

Sweeney said the team really appreciates everything Troyan has done for the team.

"It's a great milestone to reach," Sweeney said. "He works incredibly hard for our team and has earned respect from his players and fellow coaches because of his dedication."

Sophomore pitcher Tiff Curtis, who has started two games for the Hawks so far, said Troyan has prepared the team well for this season.

"Coach Troyan has definitely had more live situations at practice which benefits everyone," Curtis said. "I think that is one of the factors that helped us do well this past weekend. I, along with my teammates, feel much more prepared because of it."

Curtis went 1-0 in her two starts, posting a 1.40 earned run average, giving up only two earned runs and striking out 20.

Junior infielder Whitney Lowe said another key element to the Hawks' success this season will be the addition of five freshmen to the roster.

"We have a great group of freshmen this year," Lowe said. "They fit in immediately into our little family and as well on the field. Each girl brings something special to the team and we have definite plans for using them all."

Freshman catcher Carly Potock went five for nine on the trip with three runs scored and three RBI's, rounding out the Hawks' sweep of Patriot League honors for the week with rookie of the week.

Sweeney said she believes all of the freshmen can make a big impact on the field.

"All five freshmen will make a significant impact on our season this year," Sweeney said. "They are great, well-rounded girls who, after some adjusting, seem to have stepped right in to their roles on the team."

Lowe said bonding is always prominent on any team trip.

"Florida is the point in the season where our team gets really close and we bond together," Lowe said. "We get to know each other really well after spending an entire week together."

The Hawks' first game against Detroit is at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by the game against Fairfield at 1 p.m.