Confidence, calmness and composure are leading Lehigh softball junior catcher Carolyn Wright to a successful season.
These traits have propelled Wright to perform well in pressure situations and helped her earn her first career Patriot League Player of the Week recognition.
The award came after her performance at Holy Cross, where she combined for three doubles, three runs, eight RBIs and three walks in the series.
Coach Fran Troyan said Wright came up with big hits and was clutch every time she came up to the plate.
“She was just able to perform under the brightest of lights in those moments,” Troyan said. “The moment didn’t faze her at all, she actually relished in the situation, which was cool.”
Wright said her peak performance comes when she stays composed and keeps things simple.
Troyan said Wright is just starting to flourish in her position, comfortable with who she is within the program and knowing exactly what her role is.
“She plays softball kind of like her personality — she’s very even-keeled,” Troyan said. “She never gets too excited, she never gets too deflated, and because of that she allows herself to be very consistent.”
Wright said over the years she has focused on her development and gaining confidence and trust in herself.
“The biggest difference that I’ve noticed in myself is that freshman year in an important situation, like coming up to bat with the bases loaded in a tied game, I would be nervous and just hope I don’t do anything to let the team down,” Wright said. “Now as a junior, I look forward to those types of situations and am excited when I get an opportunity to help my team win.”
Teammate Vicky Lattanzio said Wright is respected among her teammates because she’s always willing to put in the extra work, speak up and command the field from behind the plate.
“Her confidence on the field is really shining,” Lattanzio said.
Wright attributes her success and development to her coaches and parents. She said feedback from her instructors has allowed her to have a one-play-at-a-time mentality.
When Wright found out about the award, she said she was excited, but displayed a team-first mentality by saying it meant a lot to know she had made such a great impact on her team’s success that weekend.
This attitude resonates with Troyan’s view, and he said the team doesn’t really acknowledge the individual successes as much as the team’s because it is a team effort.
“She had a great weekend to be able to earn it,” Troyan said. “That’s great and we’re excited for her, but we really have bought into a team-first mentality.”
With tough Patriot League play ahead against Army and Colgate University, Wright said it is important for the team to perform well together.
She plans to continue to make the most out of every opportunity she is given to help her team.
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