Lehigh University Athletics
Novalis honored by Patriot League
5/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
In the only two games in which he played last week, Novalis made quite an impact as the team's designated hitter. Hampered by a hamstring injury that completely wiped out his ability to run the bases and play the field, Novalis still helped propel his squad into the Patriot League playoffs. In Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep over rival Lafayette, Novalis crushed a first inning grand slam to right field to set the tone in the opener, a 7-3 Lehigh victory. In game two, he added a solo home run to left that lifted the Mountain Hawks to a 6-4 win. All in all, Novalis drove in six runs on the afternoon.
Lehigh had to win both of those contests over the Leopards in order to qualify for the league’s playoffs. The Mountain Hawks are in the postseason tournament for the third consecutive season, for the first time in Lehigh history.
The first inning grand slam was career home run number 27 for Novalis – a Patriot League record. The blast was also career hit number 200 – a school mark. Over the course of his career, Novalis has set new Lehigh records for career hits, home runs, runs scored, runs batted in, and doubles, among others. As a junior, he was the Patriot League’s Player of the Year, and an honorable mention All-American from the web site collegebaseballinsider.com.
Lehigh opens Patriot League tournament play on Saturday against second seed
