Columbus, GA – Facing its second consecutive nationally ranked opponent Lehigh suffered its second straight defeat, falling 5-0 to No. 13 Oklahoma Friday night in pool play at the 2005 NFCA Leadoff Classic at the South Commons Stadium and Complex. The Mountain Hawks mustered only two hits, while allowing three unearned runs as they fall to 0-2 on the season.
Oklahoma improves to 2-0 in the tournament, 13-4 overall.
The Sooners jumped on the board early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Oklahoma pulled off a double-steal to score its first run, as Kristin Vesely came home on an error by Lehigh catcher Mary Wieder. Christina Enea added an RBI double and following a sac fly OU was up 3-0.
Oklahoma would tack on two more in the third and then the Sooner pitchers went to work silencing the Lehigh bats. After getting one-hit by Florida State earlier in the day the Mountain Hawks could only get two against a trio of Sooner pitchers; a fourth inning single by Katherine Wegert and a fifth inning base hit from Lauren Haney.
Kate Arico got the start for the Mountain Hawks. The junior went the distance giving up five runs (only two earned) on ten hits. She walked two Sooners and did not record a strikeout. Nicole Denes struck out nine Mountain Hawks in four innings to record the win.
Earlier in the day Lehigh fell to No. 21 Florida State by a 5-1 score.
Lehigh returns to the field Saturday afternoon as the Mountain Hawks wrap up pool play against Michigan State. First pitch set for 12:30 with bracket play set to get underway later Saturday afternoon.
