Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks to conclude non-league play against Seton Hall
4/23/2013 7:09:00 PM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Playing in its fifth road game in four days, the Lehigh baseball team will look to begin its final week of the 2013 regular season on the right foot when it goes up against Seton Hall at 4 p.m. Wednesday in South Orange, N.J. Lehigh's record has dropped to 18-24 as the team looks to snap an eight-game losing streak, while the Pirates are 21-16 after Georgetown snapped their four-game win streak Sunday.
Sophomore John Elson went 5-for-16 in last weekend's four-game series at Holy Cross and continues to lead the Mountain Hawks with 29 RBI. Sophomore Justin Pacchioli owns a team-best .375 batting average to go along with a .508 slugging percentage and .448 on base percentage. Senior Casey Turner has scored 36 runs and is tied with junior Tyler Brong for the team lead in total bases with 68. Another strong outing on the mound for junior Colin Gotzon in Saturday's series opener against the Crusaders gave him a team-high 50 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched on the season. Senior Tom O'Malley has a 2.82 ERA, which is second only to sophomore Josh Flyer's mark of 1.35. O'Malley played in all four games at Holy Cross, throwing the final 3.2 innings of game one Saturday before playing in right field in the other three games.
Giuseppe Papaccio and Zack Granite lead Seton Hall's offense with batting averages of .351 and .347 respectively. Papaccio's 27 RBI and .514 slugging percentage lead the team, while Granite has the edge in on base percentage with a mark of .436 and has 25 stolen bases in 31 attempts.
Sam Burum has a flawless 3-0 record and leads the Pirates' pitching staff with a 1.82 ERA in 10 appearances, including three starts. Jon Prosinski has been the team's top starter. With three complete games under his belt, he has struck out 57 batters in 71.2 innings. Conor Krauss has limited opponents to a .185 batting average in 12 appearances out of the bullpen. Seton Hall will play Tuesday at Monmouth before hosting Lehigh on Wednesday.
Lehigh is 9-3 against the Pirates and has won the last five matchups. Wednesday's meeting between the two teams will be the first in 88 years.
Following their final non-league contest of the regular season, the Mountain Hawks will host Navy in a pair of doubleheaders with a spot in the Patriot League Tournament on the line. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lehigh will honor its four seniors---Steven Ball, O'Malley, Cameron Phillips and Turner---in a pre-game on-field ceremony Saturday. The Brown and White must complete a four game sweep of the Midshipmen in order to earn the fourth seed in the league tournament.
MHT EP13 - Baseball
Wednesday, March 25
Baseball vs. Holy Cross 2
Saturday, March 21
Baseball vs. Holy Cross 1
Saturday, March 21
Baseball vs. Navy
Saturday, March 14
