Lehigh University
Penn
Lehigh takes two from Penn in home opener
3/24/2010 7:30:00 PM | Softball
 |
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh opened up its 2010 home schedule by sweeping a doubleheader from regional rival Penn Wednesday at Kaufman Field. Senior Tiffany Curtis fired a one-hit shutout and sophomore Jen Colquhoun belted a two-run home run to lead the Mountain Hawks to a 2-0 win in game one, while in game two Lehigh let a five run lead get away before rallying with four runs in the bottom of the sixth to win 10-7. With the sweep Lehigh improves to 9-7 on the season, while Penn falls to 3-10.
“It was a little frustrating in the second game to build a 6-1 lead and let it get away,” said Lehigh head coach Fran Troyan. “I give our players credit for staying focused and energized and that really helped the comeback effort. I thought Alex Cueva, Julie Fernandez and Jen Colquhoun all played very well and stepped up on the leadership side as well.”
Colquhoun delivered the only runs of the opener in her first home at-bat of the season as she lined a Chelsea Ott offering over the left field fence for her third home run of the year, which put Lehigh in front after one inning.
Curtis took over from there as she allowed just a third-inning bunt single by Keiko Uraguchi on the way to her seventh career one-hitter and 13th career shutout. Curtis walked one and struck out five in the complete game effort.
“It was great to see Tiffany Curtis come back and throw with confidence,” said Troyan. “She was simply outstanding and game one and she came into a tough spot in the second game but really helped us out.”
At the plate, Lehigh ripped eight hits in the opener, as Colquhoun went 3-for-3 and freshman Jacqi Kennelly added two hits in three at bats.
Lehigh went out in front early in game two as well, as the Mountain Hawks loaded the bases in the bottom of the first with two walks and a single by sophomore Julie Fernandez. With two out, senior Brooke Lewis gave Lehigh the lead with a bloop double to centerfield that scored junior Alex Cueva and Fernandez to make it 2-0.
Penn crept within a run in the top of the fourth as Kelsey Wolfe took junior Bri Gaumer deep to centerfield for a solo home run that made it 2-1 Lehigh. Wolfe was 4-for-5 in the nightcap for the Quakers.
The Mountain Hawks appeared to put the game out of reach with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, sophomore Audra Wood beat out an infield single and then stole second, before scoring on a Cueva double to left center. Two batters late Colquhoun struck again, this time with a double into the gap in right center, which plated two more runs. Freshman Kristen Mitchell capped the inning with an RBI single down the right field line as Lehigh led 6-1.
In the sixth, Penn mounted a rally of its own with seven straight hits that scored four runs. Curtis came out of the bullpen to relieve Gaumer and gave up the last of the seven straight hits, a bases loaded single by Brooke Coloma that cut the Mountain Hawks lead to 6-5. Curtis then walked Wolfe to force in the tying run and after recording two outs on shallow fly balls to the outfield, Lehigh’s senior right hander walked Sam Erosa which forced in the go-ahead run to make it 7-6 Penn.
Lehigh battled back in its half of the frame, as freshman Rosie Roessel reached on a bunt single and Wood followed with a bunt hit of her own that moved Roessel to third on an error. Cueva tied the game by hitting her second double of the game into right field. The Mountain Hawks then went in front on consecutive sacrifice flies by Fernandez and Colquhoun. With the bases empty, freshman Liz Lucas doubled to right center and then scored Lehigh’s tenth run on a single by Lewis, who picked up her third RBI of the game.
Penn threatened in the seventh, loading the bases with two outs, but Curtis got Justine Payne to pop out to second base to end the game, giving Lehigh the sweep.
Curtis picked up her second win of the day with two innings of relief. She allowed two hits and walked three but improved to 6-3 on the season. Gaumer was charged with all seven Penn runs on 11 hits in five-plus innings of work.
Cailyn Hennessy started game two for the Quakers, came out losing, came back in with the lead and suffered the loss, allowing all ten runs on ten hits in five innings.
The Mountain Hawks will continue their home stand this weekend when Lehigh hosts Niagara for four games at Kaufman Field. Lehigh and Niagara will play doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday with first pitch both days scheduled for 12 p.m. Sunday’s doubleheader will be broadcast online at Lehighsports.com.
Lehigh - Penn Post-Game Extra
