Lehigh University
Lafayette
Mountain Hawks out-slug rivals in conclusion of finale
5/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
On Tuesday, the two teams picked up where they left off a day prior: knotted at 11-11 in a slugfest through five innings of play.
In the top of the sixth inning, the first four Lehigh batters reached safely – including back-to-back doubles from first baseman Forrest Doane and left fielder Andrew Smith. Later in the frame, second baseman Mike Sandonato singled in a pair of runs. All told, the Mountain Hawks scored five times on seven hits in the sixth inning to take a 16-11 lead.
Lehigh freshman hurler Billy Alec pitched all four innings on Tuesday to improve his record to 3-0. Alec scattered three hits and struck out three, allowing only one run on the day.
The Lehigh offense scored 16 runs on 22 hits in the two-day win. All nine Lehigh starters joined the hit parade, including eight of nine with multiple hits. Catcher Matt McBride led the way with four hits in six at-bats, including his league-leading 17th double of the season. Center fielder Joe Ercolano and left fielder Andrew Smith each ripped three hits. Smith also hit two homers and drove in a career high seven runs in the contest.
Lehigh (25-19-1 overall, 12-8 Patriot League) concludes its regular season with the second-most victories in school history. The Mountain Hawks are the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Patriot League tournament and will take on No. 3 Bucknell in a single elimination, nine inning game in the opening round of the Patriot League tournament on May 14 at Army.
