Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks to host Navy in critical series
9/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Lehigh returns to Goodman Field to host Navy in the final four games of the regular season. The Mountain Hawks enter the weekend in fifth place in the Patriot League, but are still alive for a berth in the league’s postseason tournament.
Lehigh’s offense is led by junior third baseman Jesse Novalis, who leads the league with nine homers on the season. In addition to Novalis’ .350 batting average, shortstop Eric Hoffman enters the weekend hitting at a .340 clip. On the mound, sophomore Jack Muscalus leads the Mountain Hawks with four wins and a 2.03 ERA.
Navy comes to Bethlehem looking to clinch a post-season berth as well. The Midshipmen are led by outfielder Craig Candeto, who is hitting .350. Three Navy pitchers have each won four games in 2003.
Lehigh enters the weekend with a 6-9 record in league contests, while the Midshipmen are in second place with a 10-6 league mark. The top three teams in the league qualify for the Patriot League tournament, which will take place on the weekend of May 10-11 at the highest seed’s home field. The Mountain Hawks and Lafayette have played only three times, so if a make-up of the fourth game is necessary, that would be played on Monday afternoon at Metzgar Field in Easton. You can keep up with the standings and the post-season race on the Patriot League’s baseball homepage.
The Lehigh-Navy series kicks off beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at Goodman Field. First pitch is scheduled for Noon.
For more information, contact Jeff Tourial, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
Posted April 25, 2003.
