Lehigh University
Manhattan
Manhattan out-slugs Lehigh in 9-3 win
4/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan freshman pitcher Mike Gazzola struck out seven Lehigh batters and did not allow a run in six innings of work, as the host Jaspers cruised to a 9-3 win over visiting Lehigh at Van Cortlandt Park on Wednesday afternoon. The loss snaps the Mountain Hawks’ five-game winning streak and drops LU to 19-22 on the season. The Jaspers are now 16-15 following the win.
Manhattan put the game well out of reach early, scoring eight times in the first two innings to build an insurmountable 8-0 lead. The big blow came as senior designated hitter John Fitzpatrick hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first. In all, the Jaspers scored six times in the first off Lehigh sophomore Andrew Grim, who falls to 0-4 on the season with the loss.
Gazzola (2-3) did walk four batters on the day, and
The Mountain Hawks did manage to score three runs in the eighth, as junior Nick Bet hit his second homer of the season – a solo shot to center. Second baseman Mike Sandonato and center fielder Joe Ercolano each added RBI singles in the frame.
Lehigh designated hitter Matt McBride entered the day needing only one hit to tie Lehigh’s single season record, but the
First place Lehigh resumes Patriot League play this weekend, as the Mountain Hawks host rival Lafayette in a pivotal four-game series at the baseball field on Goodman Campus. The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday and another on Sunday, with first pitch set for noon each day.
