Lehigh University Athletics
Two freshman pitchers put forth strong effort
9/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
West Point, NY – For the second straight afternoon, Lehigh and Army split a doubleheader at Doubleday Field on Sunday. Lehigh roared past the Black Knights 8-0 in game one, while Army responded in the second game with a 4-1 victory. The Mountain Hawks return to Bethlehem with a 14-12-1 overall record, and a 2-2 mark in Patriot League play. The Black Knights are now 8-13 overall and 3-5 in the league.
In the first game, freshman Jack Muscalus pitched a gem, scattering five hits and not allowing a run in the 8-0 Lehigh win. Muscalus (4-2) struck out four in the complete game effort.
Offensively, right fielder Jeremy Mack was 2-3 with a double and two runs batted in. Third baseman Jesse Novalis smacked a two-run homer to left-center field, his team-leading fifth blast of the season. Left fielder Chad Thoman also collected two hits for Lehigh in the win. Army’s Wes Bumgardner (0-3) pitched a complete game in suffering the loss.
As the sun ducked behind the clouds and the wind sent a chill into the air around the Hudson River, the Army offense woke up, as the Black Knights defeated the Mountain Hawks by a 4-1 score in game two. Army left fielder Kyle Kalkwarf laced a two-run double in the first inning, which proved to be all Black Knight starting pitcher Justin Kashner would need. Kashner (3-1) held the Mountain Hawks to just one run and three hits, helping his team earn the series split.
Jeff Pietrak (0-3) was the game two starter for Lehigh, and he suffered the loss, working the first four innings. Freshman Ryan Dodds pitched the final two innings for the Mountain Hawks in spectacular fashion. Dodds did not allow a hit or a walk, and sent three Black Knights back to the dugout via the strikeout. The lone bright spot in the Lehigh offense in the second game was second baseman Eric Hoffman, who hit a solo homer (2) to left field in leading off the sixth inning. Shortstop Anthony Piccola and third baseman Jesse Novalis had the other two Lehigh hits, both singles.
Lehigh is back in action on Tuesday night, as the Mountain Hawks battle St. Joseph’s at Limeport Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00.
Game One
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
Lehigh | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
Army | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
WP – Jack Muscalus, Lehigh (4-2)
LP – Wes Bumgardner, Army (0-3)
2B – Lehigh: Jeremy Mack
HR – Lehigh: Jesse Novalis (5)
Game Two
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
Lehigh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Army | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | x | 4 | 5 | 2 |
WP – Justin Kashner, Army (3-1)
LP – Jeff Pietrak, Lehigh (0-3)
HR – Lehigh: Eric Hoffman (2)
For more information, contact Jeff Tourial, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
