First inning woes doom Lehigh in Tuesday loss at Penn

Tuesday, March 27

Philadelphia, Pa.

3:30 PM

Lehigh University

6-16

Penn

5-14

Lehigh

Penn

First inning woes doom Lehigh in Tuesday loss at Penn

3/27/2018 6:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – A nine-run first inning did in the Lehigh softball team in its non-league game at Penn Tuesday at Penn Park. The host Quakers capitalized on several Mountain Hawk miscues to score nine runs in the first and went on to defeat Lehigh 12-3 in six innings.

Sophomore Reva Alderman went 2-for-3 and hit Lehigh's first home run of the season, but the Mountain Hawks saw their season record drop to 6-17.

Penn (5-14) jumped on Lehigh in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on six hits, two Mountain Hawk errors, two walks and a hit batter. The Quakers sent 14 batters to the plate, with Jurie Joyner driving in three of the nine runs with a two-run single and then a RBI double. Joyner went 4-for-4 with three RBIs to lead the Quaker attack.

Lehigh attempted to cut into the deficit, loading the bases with one out in the second inning. A single to center field by junior Brie Gerhardt scored freshman Allyson Dibsie, but Jennifer Brann struck out the next two batters to end the threat.

Alderman pulled Lehigh within 9-3 with a two-run home run to center with two outs in the third inning. The Mountain Hawks tried to put together another rally as the next two batters reached base, but the inning ended when senior Katie Schultz was caught stealing.

Penn pulled a run back with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third and then ended the game on a two-run home run by Clare Sebastianelli with one out in the home sixth inning.

Junior Emily Sorem started in the circle for Lehigh but lasted just seven batters, allowing six runs (four earned) on four hits. Senior Lindsay Phillips threw the final five innings for the Mountain Hawks also allowing six runs, four of which were earned. Phillips allowed eight hits, while walking four and striking out one.

Three Penn pitchers each threw two innings, with Brann awarded the win. Sophomore Mary-Hannah Smith joined Alderman in going 2-for-3 at the plate. She scored on the Alderman home run.

The Mountain Hawks will return home to host Lafayette in a three-game weekend series at Leadership Park. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday at noon and a single game Sunday at noon with all three games slated to be broadcast on the Patriot League Network.