Liberty High School infielder, Kristin Kaleycik, was recently selected to compete on the Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup softball team.

Lehigh Valley is a tournament team comprised of softball players from the East Penn Conference and the Colonial League who just completed their sophomore or junior year of high school. The tournament itself is sponsored by the Philadelphia Phillies, providing these players the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of college coaches.

Coached by John Eyer of Emmaus, try-outs were held last month.

Kaleycik said, "My parents said it would be a really good opportunity and since I'm a sophomore, I should start now for colleges to look at me. When try-outs came, it was pretty spur of the moment."

Although the atmosphere was somewhat more laid back than that of high school try-outs, the drills, such as hitting and fielding, were very similar.

When Coach Eyer announced the roster, Kaleycik's name was called towards the end of the middle.

"I was really nervous and just kind of waiting. Then, when he called my name, I was so excited," said Kaleycik.

The squad of 15 competed in two scrimmages last week at Pates Park, one against the Flames and one against a 23U team, where Kaleycik had a triple and two singles.

Kaleycik, a shortstop for the Hurricanes, will also play shortstop in the Carpenter Cup Tournament, as well as second and third base.

"It's definitely a different view [at second base], but I'm used to being moved around," said Kaleycik.

Lehigh Valley's first two games in the double elimination tournament will have been played on Tuesday, past Press deadlines.

"I'm looking forward to playing hard and winning," Kaleycik said. "This year's team is strong."