Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks tie school record for wins
9/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Bethlehem, PA – Two Lehigh freshmen picked up wins as the Mountain Hawks swept a doubleheader from Holy Cross at Goodman Field on Sunday afternoon. Lehigh squeaked out a 1-0 win in the opener, and rallied for a 5-4 win in the second game of the twinbill. The pair of wins improves the Mountain Hawks’ record to 23-15-1 overall and 8-4 in Patriot League play. Lehigh’s 23 wins matches a school record for most wins in a season, set by the 1995 squad. Lehigh also improves its home record to 7-1. Sunday’s pair of losses drops the Crusaders’ record to 10-22 overall and 5-11 in the league.
In the opener, freshman Jack Muscalus (6-2) out-dueled Holy Cross’ John Dibble (0-5) in a classic battle on the mound. Muscalus went all seven innings, scattering eight hits in picking up his third complete game and second shutout. His record improves to 3-0 in Patriot League starts with the victory. Dibble also pitched well, but suffered the tough-luck loss. He pitched a complete game as well, allowing only one run and five Lehigh hits. The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth when left fielder Jeff Pietrak reached on a bunt single and later scored on a Chad Thoman double. Thoman finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Lehigh.
In the second game, both starters got off to a rocky start before settling down. The Crusaders scored twice in the top of the first when second baseman Pete Summa belted a two-run homer to left field. Lehigh answered right back with four scores in the home half of the first. The Mountain Hawks scored thanks to three hits, a wild pitch, and an error to take the lead.
Holy Cross tied things in the top of the third, as the Crusaders manufactured two runs. After a lead-off walk, right fielder Matt McEvoy doubled in a run, and later scored himself to tie the game at 4-4.
Lehigh again used the bunt to its advantage in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead. Center fielder Justin Pagan led off the inning with a bunt single that rolled into the bag at third. Third baseman Jesse Novalis laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Pagan into scoring position. Two batters later, Thoman’s infield hit plated Pagan with what turned out to be the winning run. Thoman finished the day 4-for-6 at the plate, with two runs batted in.
On the mound Matt Mezzancello pitched two shutout innings of relief to pick up the win in game two. He surrendered only one hit, and did not walk a batter, as he improved his record to 4-0 on the season.
Lehigh is back in action on Wednesday night, as the Mountain Hawks visit St. Joseph’s. The non-league contest gets underway at 8:00 in Philadelphia. Lehigh resumes Patriot League play on Saturday, April 27, beginning a crucial four-game series at Navy.
Game One
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
Holy Cross | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
Lehigh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 1 | 5 | 0 |
WP – Jack Muscalus, Lehigh (6-2)
LP – John Dibble, Holy Cross (0-5)
2B – Lehigh: Chad Thoman
LOB – Holy Cross 7, Lehigh 6
Game Two
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
Holy Cross | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
Lehigh | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 5 | 7 | 3 |
WP – Matt Mezzancello, Lehigh (4-0)
LP – Drew Bigda, Holy Cross (0-2)
2B – Holy Cross: Mike Schell, Matt McEvoy
HR – Holy Cross: Pete Summa
LOB – Holy Cross 7, Lehigh 2
For more information, contact Jeff Tourial, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
