Lehigh University
Niagara
Lehigh splits Sunday twinbill with Niagara
3/28/2010 3:45:00 PM | Softball
 |
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Freshman Liz Lucas and junior Carly Potock combined to go 4-for-6 with seven RBI to lead Lehigh to an 11-6 win over Niagara in the second game of a doubleheader Sunday at Kaufman Field. The visiting Purple Eagles scored six runs off senior Tiffany Curtis in the top of the first inning to take Sunday’s first game 6-3. The Mountain Hawks won three of the four games with Niagara on the weekend to improve to 12-8 on the season, while Niagara Is now 6-10.
“I’m pleased with the way we bounced back after the loss in game one,” said Lehigh head coach Fran Troyan. “When you get into league play, like we will next week, every game is important. Every team is out to knock us off, and when we do lose a game it’s important to come back and win the next one.”
In the nightcap junior Bri Gaumer matched zeroes with Kayla Hines through the first three and a half innings before Potock put Lehigh in front. Sophomore Jen Colquhoun and Lucas drew back-to-back walks and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Potock then followed with a bloop double to centerfield that scored Colquhoun and Lucas to put Lehigh up 2-0.
Lehigh added to its lead with five runs in the fifth. Junior Alex Cueva singled to right center to score freshman Rosie Roessel to make it 3-0. Three batters later Lucas blasted a bases-loaded, two-run double to left center that put the Mountain Hawks up by five. Potock followed with another RBI hit, a single to center that scored Colquhoun. Senior Lauren Eichblatt then brought home Lucas with a single to make it 7-0, although the Mountain Hawks’ attempt to end the game on the eight-run rule was stymied when Potock was thrown out at the plate.
In the sixth, Curtis relieved Gaumer but gave up a grand slam to Niagara’s Becky Zill that made it 7-4, but Lehigh’s offense went back to work in the bottom of the frame. Colquhoun came up with the bases loaded and one out and laced a single that scored two runs. Lucas followed with a two-run triple to right field that put Lehigh back up by seven, before Niagara added two runs in the top of the seventh.
Gaumer picked up her third win of the season (3-2), allowing two runs on six hits in 6.2 innings of work. Hines took the loss for Niagara as she allowed two runs on two hits in 3.1 innings.
In game one, Niagara raced to an early lead after a leadoff double, a walk and then a three-run home run to left field by Teresa Healy. Jen Hare added an RBI single and Alexis Wayne delivered a two-run double to left field as the Purple Eagles sent ten batters to the plate and led 6-0 before Lehigh came to bat.
The Mountain Hawks scored its three runs in the bottom of the third on a bases-loaded, two-run double by Colquhoun, followed by a sacrifice fly to left by Lucas. Lehigh managed just four hits and threatened in the sixth but Julie DiMatteo struck out sophomore Julie Fernandez with the bases loaded to end the threat.
DiMatteo worked around seven walks to strike out seven Mountain Hawks to earn the win for Niagara. Curtis fell to 8-4 for Lehigh allowing six runs on seven hits in two innings. Freshman Rebecca Bliss relieved Curtis and threw five innings of scoreless ball, while striking out six.
“Bri (Gaumer) pitched well and Becca (Bliss) was outstanding in relief today,” said Troyan. “Tiffany Curtis wasn’t at her sharpest today, but she’s been outstanding for us more often than not. We fully expect her to bounce back and be outstanding once again as we move towards league play.”
The Mountain Hawks will continue their home stand when they take on Princeton in a non-league doubleheader Wednesday at Kaufman Field. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m. and all the action can be heard live on Lehighsports.com.
Lehigh - Niagara Post-Game Extra
