Lehigh splits in Wednesday action at USF

TAMPA, Fla. – The Lehigh softball team raced to an early 6-1 lead before holding on for an 8-6 win over Maine Wednesday in the first of two games played at the USF Softball Stadium. The win extended Lehigh's win streak to five straight but that streak was snapped in a 13-2, five-inning loss to host USF in its second game of the day.

Sophomore Katie Schultz went 6-for-7 with three RBIs in the two games, while junior Vicky Lattanzio drove in four runs against Maine. The Mountain Hawks now stand at 12-5 on the season.

Lehigh scored four unearned runs in the top of the first against Maine. Two Black Bear errors and a fielder's choice allowed the Mountain Hawks to load the bases with nobody out. Lattanzio opened the scoring with a RBI ground out and two batters later Schultz tripled to left, scoring seniors Alexis Watanabe and Morgan Decker to give Lehigh a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Carolyn Wright then singled home Schultz to give Lehigh the 4-0 advantage after half an inning.

Maine (5-7) got a run back in the bottom of the frame on an Alyssa Derrick RBI single, but Lehigh responded with two more in the top of the second on a two-run double by Lattanzio.

The Black Bears battled back within 6-5 after scoring two runs in the third, one in the fourth and then one in the fifth on a Janelle Bouchard solo home run.

Lattanzio's fourth RBI of the game, a sacrifice fly, gave Lehigh a 7-5 lead in the sixth and the Mountain Hawks tacked on one more run in the seventh on a RBI ground out by freshman Ashley Quidolit.

In the bottom of the seventh Maine got a run back on a sacrifice fly, but Lehigh turned a double play to end the game.

Freshman Emily Sorem started in the circle for the Mountain Hawks and allowed six runs on nine hits in six-plus innings to improve to 6-2 on the season. She walked two and struck out seven before giving way to junior Christine Campbell, who recorded the final three outs to earn her second save of the season.

Annie Kennedy went the distance for Maine and allowed eight runs on 12 hits in seven innings. Because of four Black Bear errors, just two of the runs were earned.

The Maine game also matched sisters Morgan and Maddie Decker, who started at third base for their respective teams. Both sisters went 1-for-4 with Morgan also scoring a run.

The Mountain Hawks were not as fortunate against a USF team that is receiving votes in both major polls. The Bulls scored three runs in the first, six in the second and three more in the third to build a 12-0 lead, and added a Sam Worrell solo home run in the fourth. USF improved to 20-9 on the season and extended its winning streak to 12 straight.

USF tagged Lehigh pitching for 13 hits, with Kristen Wyckoff going 3-for-3. Monica Santos led the Bulls with four RBIs.

Campbell started for Lehigh and took the loss, allowing nine runs on ten hits in two innings. She falls to 6-3 on the season. Lattanzio pitched the final two innings and allowed four runs.

Erica Dunn earned the win for USF, striking out five in three scoreless innings.

Lehigh finished with seven hits, including a 3-for-3 effort from Schultz. Down 13-0, the Mountain Hawks put two runs on the board in the top of the fifth on a pinch hit RBI double by sophomore Cassie Lajeunesse and a run-scoring single by Schultz.

The Mountain Hawks will wrap up their spring break trip with four games this weekend at the USF Spring Break Tournament in Clearwater. Lehigh will face Rutgers (11:45 a.m.) and Quinnipiac (2:15 p.m.) on Friday and Northwestern (9:30 a.m.) and Marist (11:45 a.m.) on Saturday.

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Team Stats

Katie Schultz

Vicky Lattanzio

Carolyn Wright

Rachel Timberman

Players Mentioned

Christine Campbell

Morgan Decker

Cassie Lajeunesse

Vicky Lattanzio

Ashley Rabago

Katie Schultz

Emily Sorem

Alexis Watanabe

Carolyn Wright

Lehigh University Athletics

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