LATHAM, N.Y. - Thanks to her outstanding combination of athletic and academic success, as well as her service to her campus and surrounding communities, Penn State Harrisburg's Madelyn Lehigh has been named the United East Softball Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year.  


The senior scholar-athlete award is one of the highest individual honors the conference bestows. The award is granted to one senior from each sport who represents the epitome of the student-athlete model thanks to their high level of performance on the field of play, in the classroom and in their community. Lehigh joins baseball's Brendan Henn as Penn State Harrisburg student-athletes to earn the award this season. 


"Throughout four standout seasons at Penn State Harrisburg, Maddy redefined success as a student-athlete," said head coach Mandi Baer. "She became a NCAA statistical champion, program record holder in nearly every offensive category and a three-time academic all-district honoree. She continually demonstrated unmatched drive, focus and leadership. She set the gold standard for Penn State Harrisburg softball, leaving a legacy that will inspire future generations of student-athletes." 


The most-decorated player in program history, Lehigh completed her illustrious career as the NCAA active leader in triples (31) across all three divisions. Earlier this spring, the senior became the first player in program history to reach the 200-hit mark before finishing her career ranked eighth among active Division III players in runs (175), ninth in hits (236) and 16th in total bases (358). In 2024, the shortstop won a pair of NCAA Statistical Championships in the categories of triples per game (.33) and triples (14), was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region IV Third Team and was tabbed the United East Player of the Year. In 2023, the Harrisburg, Pa. native secured NFCA All-Region Second Team honors following the most prolific offensive season in program history after being named the 2022 United East Rookie of the Year thanks to a breakout freshman campaign. A four-time United East All-Conference honoree that included three first-team plaudits, Lehigh ended her career slashing an outstanding .468/.534/.710 with a 1.244 OPS and finished as the program's all-time leader in batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, slugging percentage, hits, runs, RBIs (125), walks (71) and triples.


Lehigh has also been strong in the classroom throughout her career. She is the first Penn State Harrisburg student-athlete to earn three College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District accolades thanks to her combination of athletic and academic prowess. She is a two-time Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society inductee and she's garnered four straight conference all-academic awards. She also bolstered her academic experience with internships at nearby Focused Physical Development and RAK Baseball. The Human Development and Family Studies major recently graduated in May with a 3.70 cumulative GPA.  


Serving as Penn State Harrisburg's Student-Athlete Leadership Council Treasurer (SALC) during the 2024-25 campaign, Lehigh helped facilitate the school's canned food drive that collected items for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Penn State Harrisburg's on-campus food pantry. She's also had a hand in Penn State Harrisburg's involvement with National Read Across America Day at Middletown Area elementary schools. Outside of campus, she's involved herself with local communities by volunteering with military families at the nearby Indiantown Gap National Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America program, working with students at Central Dauphin's annual Ready For School Fall Festival and serving as a student-athlete mentor with Polar Elite Softball. While starring at Bishop McDevitt High School, Lehigh was also named a Semper Fidelis All-American Finalist which would have allowed her to participate in an immersive Marine Corps experience, including a tour of the nation's capital and interaction with the nation's top civic, athletic and military leaders before the program was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.