Lehigh University
La Salle
Lehigh outlasts La Salle in thriller to advance to LBC final
4/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to defend our championship,” said Lehigh head coach Sean Leary following the win. “A game like this one always comes down to whose pitching settles in, and today was no different.”
With a strong southwest wind blowing out to right field, the semifinal had the makings of an offensive classic. The two teams didn’t disappoint. The Explorers built a 4-0 lead in the second inning off of Lehigh starter Billy Alec. Up 1-0 with nobody on and two outs,
After the first four Mountain Hawks were set down in order, left fielder Andrew Smith unloaded on a Craig Mushko pitch deep over the wall in right for his Patriot League-leading seventh home run of the season.
Down 6-1 in the third, first baseman Matt McBride, designated hitter Forrest Doane, and Smith registered back-to-back-to-back RBI singles to cut the deficit to 6-4.
In the home half of the fourth, the Mountain Hawks exploded to put a five-spot on the board, taking a 9-6 lead. Doane doubled home two runs in the frame in putting the Mountain Hawks on top.
The Explorers (10-15) refused to go away, scoring three times in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 9-9.
After a rocky start, the Lehigh bullpen settled down and pitched quite well. In particular, freshman Andrew Grim was spectacular. He pitched the game’s final three innings – retiring all nine batters he faced to earn his first win. Grim struck out four batters en route to the victory.
Offensively, the Mountain Hawks scored a season-high 13 runs while tying their season high for hits with 17. Doane led the charge, going three-for-four on the afternoon with two doubles and four runs batted in. Smith was three-for-three with a homer and three driven in. Center fielder Joe Ercolano was three-for-five with a double and three runs scored in the victory.
In all, the two teams combined for 24 runs, 29 hits, four errors, and six home runs.
Lehigh (13-11-1) returns to action Saturday, when the Mountain Hawks open a four-game Patriot League series against Bucknell. First pitch of game one of the twinbill Saturday is set for 12:00 pm.
