Lehigh University
11-13, 2-3
Holy Cross
5-22, 2-3
Lehigh splits doubleheader Saturday at Holy Cross
3/30/2019 6:43:00 PM | Baseball
The Mountain Hawks' offense was already potent heading into Saturday's doubleheader and it kept true to form early in Game 1.
In the top of the first inning with a runner already on via a leadoff single from Mike Maguire, Jeff Shanfeldt singled to left field, scoring Maguire from second base to give Lehigh a early 1-0 lead. The hit also extended Shanfeldt's on-base streak to 20 straight games.
T1: Make that 2️⃣0️⃣ straight games reached base for Jeff Shanfeldt with an RBI single to left field. Lehigh takes a 1-0 lead over Holy Cross. Watch: https://t.co/MDd3H8IR9s. #GoLehigh #RTTR pic.twitter.com/cHGbLvfxip
— Lehigh Baseball (@LehighBaseball) March 30, 2019
Holy Cross got two runs back to take the lead after an RBI double in the bottom of the second inning was followed by a sacrifice fly that scored a run to make it 2-1 after four innings.
The Mountain Hawks continued to score in the top of the fifth inning when freshman Gerard Sweeney continued his recent success at the plate with a single up the middle, scoring Eric Cichocki to tie the game up at 2. In the same inning, Shanfeldt grounded out to second base, but scored Quinn McKenna over from third base. That gave Lehigh a 3-2 advantage.
In the top of the sixth inning, junior shortstop Matt Hand hit his second home run of the season and for the second straight game, a two-run shot to left field to give the Mountain Hawks a 5-2 lead.T5: Gerard Sweeney stays hot with an RBI double to tie the game at 2. The freshman has the Mountain Hawks right back in this. Watch: https://t.co/MDd3H8IR9s. #GoLehigh #RTTR pic.twitter.com/nnUsL2iWfo
— Lehigh Baseball (@LehighBaseball) March 30, 2019
T6: That ball is...GONE! For the second straight game, Matt Hand homers for Lehigh. It's a two-run shot that gives the Mountain Hawks a 5-2 lead. Watch: https://t.co/MDd3H8IR9s. #GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/LZk1NJOsJk
— Lehigh Baseball (@LehighBaseball) March 30, 2019
The Crusaders got a run back in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Lehigh held on for the 5-3 win, improving to 11-13 overall with a 2-3 record in the Patriot League.
Ballgame! Ryan Malloy gets the final out with a catch in left field on the run and the Mountain Hawks take the first game of the doubleheader, 5-3. Game 2 coming up shortly! #GoLehigh #RTTR pic.twitter.com/wDXvxJfLXg
— Lehigh Baseball (@LehighBaseball) March 30, 2019
Hand led the way offensively for the Mountain Hawks, going 1-for-3 with a home run, a run scored and two RBIs.
Shanfeldt also produced two RBIs after his 1-for-4 day at the plate. The other RBI went to Sweeney, who went 1-for-4.
On the mound, Levi Stoudt (3-2) went the distance, allowing just three runs, two earned, while scattering seven hits with six strikeouts in seven innings of work. Stoudt is currently on a winning streak of three straight decisions dating back to Mar. 8 at Maryland Eastern Shore.
The second game of the afternoon wasn't nearly as successful, as the Lehigh offense was silenced for most of the game by Holy Cross starter Declan Cronin. Cronin had a no-hitter going into the top of the fourth inning before Gerard Sweeney singled to give the Mountain Hawks their first hit of the game.
The Mountain Hawks only managed to get three hits and score an unearned run against Cronin, before he exited after seven innings.
In the top of the eighth inning, Matt Hand grounded into a double play, scoring Ryan Malloy to put Lehigh on the scoreboard for the first time, trailing the Crusaders, 3-1.
Going into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Mountain Hawks relieved starter Jason Reynolds with Peter Woltersdorf. Despite allowing three runs, Reynolds (2-3) still pitched well, going seven innings, giving up two earned runs and eight hits, while striking out six Crusaders.
The Crusaders finished off the game with three straight outs in the top of the ninth inning, holding on for the 4-1 victory.
Lehigh finishes the doubleheader with a split and heads into the final game Sunday with an 11-14 overall record, 2-4 in the Patriot League.
Sunday's contest at Fitton Field has been rescheduled from the original 1 p.m. start to a first pitch scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
The game will be broadcast live on the Patriot League Network.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Stoudt, Levi (3-2)
L: McGowan, Pat (0-7)
Batting:
2B: Gallo, Tony 1
HR: Hand, Matt 1
RBI: Sweeney, Gerard 1 ; Shanfeldt, Jeff 2 ; Hand, Matt 2
SH: Schreiner, Tyler 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Maguire, Mike 1 ; Gallo, Tony 1 ; Hand, Matt 1 ; Cichocki , Eric 1 ; McKenna, Quinn 1
HBP: McKenna, Quinn 1
Batting:
2B: Blum, Evan 1 ; Livingston, Riley 1 ; Gionis, Alex 1
RBI: Gionis, Alex 1 ; McCormick, Kellen 2
SF: McCormick, Kellen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Livingston, Riley 3
SB: Livingston, Riley 1
PO: Masel, Austin 1
