Lehigh University Athletics
St. Joseph's late rally topples Lehigh
9/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Norristown, PA – St. Joseph’s scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Hawks rallied past Lehigh by a 7-6 score Wednesday night at Latshaw-McCarthy Field. The loss halts a two-game Mountain Hawk winning streak, dropping Lehigh to 23-16-1 on the season. Meanwhile, St. Joseph’s won its fourth straight contest, improving its record to 12-30-1.
After St. Joe’s grabbed a two-nothing lead, Lehigh rallied to tie the contest in the sixth, as left fielder Chad Thoman doubled in a run and later scored himself on a wild pitch. The Hawks responded with two runs of their own, and St. Joseph’s took a 4-3 lead into the eighth.
Lehigh rallied to take the lead after pinch-hitter Don Fanelli reached on catcher’s interference and later scored on a wild pitch. Center fielder Justin Pagan then singled home second baseman Eric Hoffman to stake the Mountain Hawks to a 5-4 advantage. Lehigh plated another run in the top of the ninth on a Matt Yarnold sacrifice fly to build a 6-4 lead heading into the last of the ninth.
After two walks and a single loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jack Muscalus came on to pitch for the Mountain Hawks, replacing Brian Haveri. With the sacks full and nobody out, St. Joe’s left fielder Justin Godusky laced a double to left-center field, clearing the bases and giving the Hawks the victory.
Bill McCollum (3-3) picked up the win in relief for St. Joseph’s, while Brian Haveri (0-1) suffered the loss. Lehigh squandered plenty of offensive opportunities, stranding 12 runners on base. Shortstop Anthony Piccola paced the Lehigh offense, collecting three hits – including a double – on the night.
Lehigh resumes Patriot League play with a four-game set at Navy this weekend. The Mountain Hawks and Midshipmen square off in a doubleheader on Saturday in Annapolis beginning at 1:00. All the action from Saturday’s double dip can be heard live on the Lehigh web site at www.lehigh.edu.
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
Lehigh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 1 |
St. Joseph’s | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
WP – Bill McCollum, St. Joseph’s (3-3)
LP – Brian Haveri, Lehigh (0-1)
2B – Lehigh: Jeff Pietrak, Chad Thoman, Anthony Piccola; St. Joseph’s: Justin Godusky, Mike Walls
3B – St. Joseph’s: Bill McCollum
LOB – Lehigh 12, St. Joseph’s 9
For more information, contact Jeff Tourial, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
