Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh preps for crucial series with Lafayette
9/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Any time Lehigh and Lafayette get together, the level of intensity and interest increase immensely. However, when the two schools square off on the baseball diamond this weekend, the stakes will be even higher than usual. The Mountain Hawks and Leopards wrap up the 2002 baseball regular season with a four-game series beginning Saturday at Goodman Field. Lehigh must win at least two of the four games to qualify for the Patriot League’s post-season tournament. If the Leopards win at least two games, they will clinch home-field advantage for the tournament, which begins on May 11.
Lehigh enters the weekend with a school-record 24 wins this season, and a 9-7 mark in Patriot League games. The Mountain Hawks will pitch senior Dave Cerminaro in game one on Saturday. The righty has been a model of consistency on the hill throughout his career. He has posted a 7-3 record with a team-best 2.49 ERA so far in 2002. His seven victories matches a Lehigh record for wins in a season by a pitcher.
At the plate, Lehigh has shown consistency from its lineup all season long. Second baseman Eric Hoffman has started every game, and sets the table from the leadoff spot. The two-time Patriot League Player of the Week leads the team with a .386 batting average. Earlier this season, he established a new league record with a 28 game hitting streak. Fellow sophomore Jesse Novalis has provided the pop in the lineup from the third spot in the order. The third baseman leads the league with nine home runs on the season. He was also named the national Co-Hitter of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association after tying a league record with six hits in one game and driving in 16 runs in a six game stretch.
Lafayette heads west to Bethlehem sporting a 12-4 record in Patriot League games. The Leopards have been led all season offensively by third baseman Vince D’Angelis. The senior leads the Patriot League with a .398 batting average. As a team, the Leopards are hitting at a .327 clip.
Two Mountain Hawks victories assure Lehigh of its first Patriot League tournament berth since 1996. If Lafayette manages a split in the series, the Leopards earn the right to host the Patriot League tournament. First pitch is scheduled for Noon on Saturday, and admission is free.
For more information, contact Jeff Tourial, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
