Lehigh University
Pennsylvania
Lehigh captures third consecutive win
3/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Mountain Hawks won their third straight game, but needed extra innings this time, defeating Penn, 7-4 in 13 innings. Brendan McGaheran knocked in the game-winning RBI in the top of the 13th on a bunt single, scoring Billy Goldman from third base. Kevin Mihalik (1-1) earned the win, pitching the final three innings of the game, allowing just one hit. The win puts Lehigh over .500 mark for the first time this season, with a 7-6 record, while Penn falls to 0-2 on the year.
The Brown and White got on the board first in the top of the first on a two-out single to shortstop by Logan Marshall, brining home Austin Borden to make the score 1-0. The Quakers responded with three runs in the bottom of the second, taking a 3-1 lead.
Lehigh answered back in the top of the third, with two runs of its own. The Mountain Hawks capitalized on some wild pitching from Penn starter Andy Console, with two outs in the innings. Console walked in the first run of the inning and hit Dan Clauson with a pitch to bring in the other run.
The Brown and White took the lead back in the top of the fifth, scoring a run once again on a walk by Console. The score remained at 4-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Penn got its second batter of the inning on base, after an error at first base by Borden. An error on the next play by Billy Swenson at catcher advanced the runner to third, and he eventually came around to score on a fielder’s choice to tie the game at 4-4.
Mihalik came into pitch in the top of the 11th and was lights-out for the Mountain Hawks, allowing just one hit in the 11th, a single to left field.
Goldman started the top of the 13th with a walk. He moved up to second base on a wild pitch by Reid Terry, then advanced to third on a sacrifice fly to center field by Joe Ercolano. McGaheran laid down a perfect bunt and the Quakers were unable to make a play on it, as Goldman crossed home plate and McGaheran was safe at first.
Joe Bellini drove in the second run of the inning, and the first of his career, on another bunt single, scoring McGaheran from third. Andy Russell scored the final run of the inning, this time on a sacrifice bunt by Geoff Campbell.
Mihalik retired the side in the bottom half of the inning, getting the first two batters to strike out, followed by a groundout to third base. He finished the game with three strikeouts and just one walk, facing 13 batters.
Greg Angelo made the start on the mound, pitching seven innings allowing just three runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits, while striking out six. Terry (0-1) was credited with the loss, surrendering three earned runs on two hits in two innings.
This was the final game of the Palm Beach Challenge for the Mountain Hawks, as they finish their spring break trip with a 5-2 record. The Brown and White are back in action on Tuesday, when it takes on
