Lehigh University
Rider
Cueva's big day powers Lehigh to sweep at Rider
4/6/2010 7:15:00 PM | Softball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh trailed Rider in both games of a doubleheader Tuesday at Herb/Joan Young Field and in both games the Mountain Hawks rallied to win. Junior Alex Cueva delivered a two-out, two-run single in the top of the eighth as the Mountain Hawks erased a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Broncs 8-6 in eight innings in game one. In game two, Lehigh trailed 5-0 after two innings but scored five in the third and eight in the fifth to win 13-6 in a game that was shortened to five innings because of darkness. With the sweep, Lehigh improves to 19-9 on the season.
In Tuesday’s opener, Lehigh took an early 1-0 lead on a hit-by-pitch, two walks and a wild pitch, but Rider answered with two runs in the bottom the first on a two-run single by Amanda Centeno and two more in the third on a double to right by Heather Muscara.
The Mountain Hawks battled back to take a 5-4 lead with four runs in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Cueva singled to right field to score two runs, and two batters later freshman Liz Lucas doubled to left center to score two more runs to give Lehigh the lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Brittany Eckett put the Broncs back in front with a two-run home run off senior Tiffany Curtis. Lehigh tied the game in the sixth inning when junior Carly Potock scored on a throwing error by shortstop Jen Steward.
The game remained scoreless into extra innings where Lehigh put together a two-out rally in the eighth. Freshman Rosie Roessel reached on an infield single and sophomore Audra Wood followed with a single to right. Wood then stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Cueva then delivered her second hit of the game, a single to center to put Lehigh back in front.
Freshman Rebecca Bliss earned the final three outs to get the win, completing a string of four innings of two-hit, no-run relief. Curtis allowed six runs on five hits in four-plus innings of work.
Kelsey Krisch took the loss for Rider allowing seven runs in four innings of relief.
Cueva finished 2-for-4 with four RBI in the opener to lead Lehigh, which out-hit Rider 10-7.
In the nightcap, Rider went in front with five runs on six hits in the bottom of the second inning off junior Bri Gaumer, but Lehigh tied the game with five runs on just two hits in the top of the third as the Mountain Hawks capitalized on three Bronc errors in the frame. Lehigh loaded the bases with nobody out, and got on the scoreboard when Cueva was hit by a pitch. Roessel then scored on a passed ball to make it 5-2. The Mountain Hawks added two more runs when Lucas reached on a fielder’s choice, but two Bronc errors allowed Cueva and sophomore Julie Fernandez. Lucas later scored on Rider’s third error of the inning to tie the game at five.
Lehigh busted the game open with eight runs on eight hits in the top of the fifth. Cueva led off the inning with a solo home run to left, her third of the season. After two singles and a sacrifice bunt, freshman Jacqi Kennelly and Potock delivered back-to-back RBI singles to make it 8-5 Lehigh. Roessel then doubled to left field to score two more runs. The Mountain Hawks lead grew to 12-5 when Roessel and Wood scored when Cueva reached on a throwing error. Senior Brooke Lewis capped the scoring for Lehigh with a single through the right side that scored Cueva.
Rider picked up a run in the bottom of the fifth but the damage had already been done, and with darkness falling the game was called after five innings.
Cueva finished the doubleheader at 4-for-7 with six RBI and five runs scored. Fernandez totaled three hits in the twinbill to extend her hitting streak to 19 games.
Bliss picked up her second win of the day, with three innings of one-run ball in relief of Gaumer. With wins in each game of the doubleheader, Bliss improves to 5-3 on the season. Rachael Matreale took the loss for Rider, allowing 13 runs (seven earned) in five innings.
The Mountain Hawks will return to Patriot League play this weekend when they travel to league-leading Army for four games. The Black Knights swept Lafayette to open league play and will host Lehigh in doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. both days.
