ITHACA, N.Y. — From power hitter to leadoff hitter, utility player to player of the year, one phase of Aly Intihar's collegiate softball career has remained constant.

It's been outstanding.

Intihar, a Zelienople resident and 2006 Seneca Valley graduate, was recently named Ivy League Player of the Year as she helped Cornell post its first conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance since 2004.

"Alyson's aggressive and overall work ethic have made a difference here," Cornell assistant softball coach Julie Platt said. "She just wants to be the best that she can be.

"She's always putting in extra effort, extra hours ... She's so focused on being good at everything she does."

Off the field, Intihar is carrying a 3.68 grade point average as an applied economics and management major. She was named first team all-academic by ESPN The Magazine.

On the field, Intihar has made the transformation from a power hitter who drives in runs to a leadoff hitter who scores them.

She was second in the Ivy League with 11 home runs and led her team with 41 RBI as an every-day utility player who saw action at numerous positions on the diamond.

"I had a much longer swing then," Intihar recalled. "My follow through was longer and stronger. Batting third in the lineup, I wanted to drive the ball and knock runners in."

"She's an unselfish player," Cornell head coach Dick Blood said. "She gave up hitting in the prestigious No. 3 hole because we needed a leadoff hitter."

Intihar settled in at shortstop early in her sophomore year. Before this year, Dick Blood approached her about being the leadoff hitter.

"They were looking for the right person to lead off, so I adapted my game," she said. "Batting first means finding a way to get on base — any way."

Besides hitting a career-high .396, Intihar wound up leading the league with 51 runs scored, was second in the circuit with 65 hits — and got hit by a pitch a school-record 18 times.

"I think our career record in that category was 18 and Aly did it in one season," Platt said. "Her approach at the plate was a big part of that. She strides into the pitch and has trouble getting out of the way of the tight ones."

"I'm glad I don't bruise easil;y," Intihar said, laughing.

Blood said Intihar's hitting style prevented her from avoiding inside pitches.

"Aly's committed to hitting the ball, not getting out of the way of the ball," he said. "She crowds the plate so she can cover the whole plate. She's a fearless, tough, gritty player."

Finishing among the league's top five in numerous categories, including doubles, stolen bases, total bases and on-base percentage, Intihar wound up being named the league's player of the year.

Her on-base percentage of .474 led the league, in fact.

"I was honored to receive that award, but it's not something you play for," Intihar said. "I just wanted to bring it all on the field every time I stepped on the dirt.

"Softball is a team sport with individual contributions. Everyone needs to do her job and that's how we won. I can't score all those runs if other players aren't hitting me in."

Blood said Intihar was not the most talented player in the league this season, but was the best all-around player.

"When we recruited her, we didn't think we were getting the best player in the league," he said. "We knew she'd be good, but she's been tremendous defensively and she's a versatile offensive player. And, this year, she was the best player in our league."

Cornell finished 42-13 this season, losing to Massachusetts and Sacred Heart in NCAA regional play. The Big Red lose only two senior starters from this year.

"Our team dynamic should be close to the same and we're going after the league title again next year," Intihar said.

Platt agreed.

"Our infield is all juniors Aly is one of the best defensive shortstops in the league, along with her offensive skills," the coach said. "All we ask of Aly next year is to keep doing what she's been doing.

"The team looks up to her tremendously. She's a good leader on and off the field."

Here is a year-by-year look at Seneca Valley graduate Aly Intihar's softball career at Cornell University:<B>2007</B>Was named All-ECAC as a freshman utility player and saw time at all four infield positions and played the outfield. ... Batted .351 and was second in the Ivy League with 11 home runs. ... Led team with 41 RBI.<B>2008</B>Made second team All-Ivy League ... Started all 50 games as a sophomore and became starting shortstop early in the season. .... Batted .393 and led Ivy League with 68 hits. ... Set Cornell single-season record with 17 doubles and her 47 runs scored led the team.<B>2009</B>Named Ivy League Player of the Year as a junior. ... Led Ivy League with 51 runs scored and her .396 batting average was third in the league. ... Second in the league with 65 hits and 12 stolen bases, fourth with 13 doubles and 88 total bases. ... Set Cornell record by being hit by a pitch 18 times.