Lehigh University
Lafayette
Sweep of Lafayette clinches final playoff spot
4/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Pitching on three days’ rest, Lehigh ace Jack Muscalus (7-3) took the mound in the opener, and set the Leopards down with a couple of strikeouts and a pop up in the top of the first. That set the stage for the Novalis dramatics in the bottom of the inning.
With the bases loaded and one out, the senior strode to the plate. Bothered by a hamstring injury and unable to run, Novalis had been relegated to DH duties for over a week. On a 2-1 pitch, Novalis lofted a long fly to right that cleared the wall for a grand slam. Not only did the blast give Lehigh a four-run lead, it made history as well. Novalis established a new Patriot League record with his 27th career homer, which just so happened to be his 200th career base hit (a Lehigh record).
The early four-run cushion proved to be more than enough for Muscalus, who tossed his sixth complete game of the season. Lehigh tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to go up 7-0. In the top of the seventh, the Leopards scored three times on four singles and a bases loaded walk. Muscalus walked two and struck out seven in the complete game effort, which kept the depleted bullpen ready for game two.
Although Muscalus played a critical role in the Lehigh victory, the junior was quick to give the credit to Novalis. “He really set the tone out there for us today,” Muscalus said of Novalis on the radio postgame show. “We knew winning two games was going to be tough, but Jesse’s homer gave us confidence for the rest of the day.”
In game two, Lehigh closer Kyle Collina got the start, and pitched well over the game’s first five innings allowing two runs while striking out five. In the top of the third,
In the top of the eighth,
Freshman Joel Hockman allowed just one hit in the ninth to earn his second save of the season. Zaszewski came up big in game two, collecting three hits in five at-bats. Lehigh stranded 11 runners on base in the second contest.
Novalis was the offensive hero this day, however. He ripped four hits in seven at-bats, driving in six runs. After the game, he credited the pitching staff for the victories. “Jack coming back on short rest, and Kyle pitching as well as he did really made things easy for [the offense],” Novalis said. “Matt [Nusinov] and Joel [Hockman] threw well in tough situations for us, too.”
Lehigh earns its third consecutive trip to the Patriot League tournament, which will take place beginning May 8 at Army. Lehigh’s first round opponent:
Photo (c) 2004, Jeff Tourial.
