Lehigh battles for 7-4 win over Coppin State

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh baseball team used a two-run home run from sophomore Jacen Nalesnik to take the lead in the fifth inning and kept Coppin State scoreless for the final five innings of a Wednesday non-league contest en route to a 7-4 victory at Legacy Park.

"The most important thing about playing a mid-week game is figuring out ways to come out on top," said head coach Sean Leary. "Mark Washington gave us a great outing and Jacen Nalesnik came up with a big hit. It was one of those days where we had to figure out a way and we did a good job of scrapping out a win."

Nalesnik's home run went along with a 2-for-3 showing at the plate and a run scored. Senior Justin Pacchioli and sophomore Connor Donovan also recorded two hits apiece. Freshman Mark Washington earned the win on the mound after limiting the Eagles to just one hit through 3.2 innings, while junior Brandon Kulp recorded the last six outs by way of strikeouts to secure the save.

The Eagles scored the game's first run in the top of the second inning when Darien Percell ran home on a throw to second. Lehigh answered back in the bottom of the frame as senior Patrick Walshe got things started with a one-out double to left field. Sophomore John Scarr followed with a double to deep right center to drive home Walshe and tie the game at one. Donovan sent a base hit to left field before taking third on a Coppin State throwing error. Pacchioli then sent a single up the middle to score Donovan and give the Mountain Hawks a 3-1 lead through two.

The Eagles used three hits and an error to put up three runs in the fourth inning and take a 4-3 lead. A Donovan single opened up the bottom of the fifth and a batter later Nalesnik smacked his first career home run over the left field fence to put the Mountain Hawks back on top, 5-4.

Washington kept the Eagles hitless for the next three innings to keep Lehigh ahead. Pacchioli led off the seventh inning with a single to left before stealing second and moving to third on a Nalesnik sacrifice bunt. Junior Mike Garzillo drew a walk before sophomore Patrick Donnelly sent a two-run double to left center to add a pair of insurance runs and give the Mountain Hawks a 7-4 advantage.

Kulp took the mound in the eighth inning and struck out the side. He plunked the first batter he faced in the ninth, but then struck out the next three to earn his first save of the season and secure the 7-4 Lehigh win.

Washington earned his second win of the season after finishing with an impressive line of no runs on one hit with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work. Lehigh junior starter Kevin Long went two innings while surrendering just one run on two hits with three strikeouts.

Lehigh remains home this weekend to host Navy at Legacy Park. Doubleheaders will be played both Saturday and Sunday with first pitches slated for 12 p.m. Free video of all four games will be available on the Patriot League Network.

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Team Stats

Justin Pacchioli

Jacen Nalesnik

Connor Donovan

Patrick Donnelly

Players Mentioned

Patrick Donnelly

Connor Donovan

Mike Garzillo

Brandon Kulp

Kevin Long

Jacen Nalesnik

Justin Pacchioli

John Scarr

Patrick Walshe

Mark Washington

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