Wednesday, April 3
Kaufman Field
3:00:00 PM
Lehigh University
6
vs
3
Rider
Sixth inning rally pushes Lehigh past Rider 6-3
4/3/2013 10:16:00 PM | Softball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Trailing 3-2 after five and a half innings, the Lehigh softball team scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally for a 6-3 win over Rider Wednesday afternoon at Kaufman Field. Sophomore Emma Capetz had two extra base hits for the Mountain Hawks, while freshman Morgan Decker doubled home the go-ahead runs for Lehigh, which improves to 15-12-1 on the season.
Rider (5-26) struck first as Dana Sensi homered to straightaway center field with two outs in the top of the first inning. Lehigh answered as senior Liz Lucas drew a two out walk and came around to score on a triple by sophomore Cassie Waggy that dropped in just inside the line in the right field corner.
The Broncs went back in front in the top of the second on a two-run double by Gina McCool as Lehigh sophomore Emily Bausher was tagged for three runs in the first two innings.
Lehigh crept back within a run at 3-2 in the fourth as junior Kristin Taft led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball, and then scored on a double to left by Capetz.
Senior Becca Bliss relieved Bausher to open the fifth but Rider loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a Mountain Hawk error. Lehigh escaped further damage as Bliss got Sensi to hit a ground ball to Decker, who started a 5-2-3 double play to end the threat.
Capetz started Leigh's rally in the bottom of the sixth with a one-out triple to left center. After a walk to freshman pinch hitter Carissa Zito, senior Rosie Roessel dunked a single down the left field line plating Capetz with the tying run. A walk to freshman Alexis Watanabe loaded the bases for Decker, who smacked her ninth double of the year to give Lehigh the lead. A sacrifice fly on a line drive to center by Lucas played Watanabe with the sixth Lehigh run.
Bliss earned her eighth win of the season with three scoreless innings of relief. She allowed just one hit over the final two innings to improve to 8-6 on the season. Bausher struck out six in four innings while allowing five hits for the Mountain Hawks.
Krista Morrone took the loss for Rider, allowing six runs on ten hits. She walked three and did not strike out a batter as she falls to 5-11.
Capetz, Waggy and Taft all posted two hits to lead Lehigh offensively.
Lehigh will return to Patriot League play this weekend with four home games against rival Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks and Leopards will play doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday at Kaufman Field, with first pitch for game one on both days set for noon. Live audio of Sunday's doubleheader will be broadcast at Lehighsports.com.
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