Saturday, March 13
Bethlehem, Pa.
11:45 a.m.
Lehigh University
3-4, 0
5
vs
4
Bucknell
0-4, 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Bucknell
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
4
5
1
Lehigh
0
0
0
1
0
2
2
5
7
1
Game One Walk-Off Highlights Baseball’s Doubleheader Split vs. Bucknell
3/13/2021 9:49:00 PM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh baseball team got its offense going late in each game of Saturday's doubleheader vs. Bucknell, but with different outcomes. The Mountain Hawks completed the comeback in game one, 5-4, before falling just short in game two, 4-3. In the Patriot League opener for both sides, junior Gerard Sweeney's walk-off single scored senior Eric Cichocki to cap off four Lehigh runs over the final two innings. After the split, the Mountain Hawks stand 4-4 overall on the season while the Bison come in at 1-4, with both at 1-1 in league play.
"We pitched it well," said Lehigh head coach Sean Leary. "One phase of our game was at a pretty high level. We just have a lot of work to do offensively and defensively. We didn't execute very well. Fortunately, our pitchers kept us in it. If we don't secure the baseball, we're going to have a hard time winning close games and that was our issue in both games."
Lehigh allowed eight runs on the day, but just three of which were earned. After junior Mason Black allowed two first-inning runs in game one, he settled in to strike out 12 over six innings, not allowing an earned run the rest of the way. Classmate Matt Svanson was dominant in the nightcap, not allowing a hit through six innings. He ended up pitching seven innings, allowing only two hits and one run while striking out 10.
"Svanson was dominant for 6+ plus innings," said Leary. "That's exactly what you look for in a starter. He did an awesome job. I would say he was definitely the most impressive person for the day. He just went out there and set a tone. When you go 6+ innings without giving up a run, it's tough to not pick up a win."
In game one, the Bison scored two in the first, but a Joe Gorla sacrifice fly in the fourth pulled Lehigh within 2-1. Bucknell opened a 4-1 lead with two unearned runs in the sixth. The Mountain Hawks wouldn't quit, however, rallying for two in the bottom of the sixth to get right back within 4-3 heading into the final frame of the seven-inning contest.
A walk to junior Chase Carlson was followed by a sacrifice bunt, then a Cichocki hit plated pinch runner Tyler Young from second base on an incredible slide to elude the tag, tying the score at four. Sweeney followed with a base hit up the middle, scoring Cichocki with ease and giving the Mountain Hawks the 5-4 victory.
"I thought it was a terrific comeback," said Leary. "The emotion our guys had for that one inning was outstanding, but we only had two competitive offensive innings the whole day, and that's something we're going to need to work on. Again, we're excited we won. We didn't play our game offensively today and didn't put pressure on them, but when we did, we had success."
In game two, an impressive effort from Svanson helped keep the game scoreless into the seventh inning. Bucknell scored a single run in the seventh and eighth to take a 2-0 lead, then took a 4-0 advantage following a dropped pop fly.
Lehigh wouldn't go down quietly, scoring three in the ninth, two of which were scored on a pinch-hit double from freshman Andrew Nole. But after a sacrifice fly, the Mountain Hawks couldn't get the tying run on base.
Sweeney finished game one 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Cichocki continued his strong play, finishing the afternoon 3-for-8. Freshman Riley Davis had a pair of hits in game two.
The Mountain Hawks and Bison will square off once again on Sunday in Lewisburg. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m.
"I'm proud of our guys for getting to the point where we're back on the field and we're playing," said Leary. "It's unique because as a coach, you want to be better, but then there's a part of you that realizes this is our fifth day outside for the whole year and as a team, it's our sixth day together since March 12 of last year. We tell them we're not going to lower the standard and not going to make excuses, but at the same time, each day you're out here is a chance to get a little bit better. With Patriot League play, there's a little bit more on the line every game."
Like Lehigh Baseball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Gallery: (3-13-2021) Baseball vs. Bucknell, 3/13/21
"We pitched it well," said Lehigh head coach Sean Leary. "One phase of our game was at a pretty high level. We just have a lot of work to do offensively and defensively. We didn't execute very well. Fortunately, our pitchers kept us in it. If we don't secure the baseball, we're going to have a hard time winning close games and that was our issue in both games."
Lehigh allowed eight runs on the day, but just three of which were earned. After junior Mason Black allowed two first-inning runs in game one, he settled in to strike out 12 over six innings, not allowing an earned run the rest of the way. Classmate Matt Svanson was dominant in the nightcap, not allowing a hit through six innings. He ended up pitching seven innings, allowing only two hits and one run while striking out 10.
"Svanson was dominant for 6+ plus innings," said Leary. "That's exactly what you look for in a starter. He did an awesome job. I would say he was definitely the most impressive person for the day. He just went out there and set a tone. When you go 6+ innings without giving up a run, it's tough to not pick up a win."
In game one, the Bison scored two in the first, but a Joe Gorla sacrifice fly in the fourth pulled Lehigh within 2-1. Bucknell opened a 4-1 lead with two unearned runs in the sixth. The Mountain Hawks wouldn't quit, however, rallying for two in the bottom of the sixth to get right back within 4-3 heading into the final frame of the seven-inning contest.
A walk to junior Chase Carlson was followed by a sacrifice bunt, then a Cichocki hit plated pinch runner Tyler Young from second base on an incredible slide to elude the tag, tying the score at four. Sweeney followed with a base hit up the middle, scoring Cichocki with ease and giving the Mountain Hawks the 5-4 victory.
"I thought it was a terrific comeback," said Leary. "The emotion our guys had for that one inning was outstanding, but we only had two competitive offensive innings the whole day, and that's something we're going to need to work on. Again, we're excited we won. We didn't play our game offensively today and didn't put pressure on them, but when we did, we had success."
In game two, an impressive effort from Svanson helped keep the game scoreless into the seventh inning. Bucknell scored a single run in the seventh and eighth to take a 2-0 lead, then took a 4-0 advantage following a dropped pop fly.
Lehigh wouldn't go down quietly, scoring three in the ninth, two of which were scored on a pinch-hit double from freshman Andrew Nole. But after a sacrifice fly, the Mountain Hawks couldn't get the tying run on base.
Sweeney finished game one 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Cichocki continued his strong play, finishing the afternoon 3-for-8. Freshman Riley Davis had a pair of hits in game two.
The Mountain Hawks and Bison will square off once again on Sunday in Lewisburg. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m.
"I'm proud of our guys for getting to the point where we're back on the field and we're playing," said Leary. "It's unique because as a coach, you want to be better, but then there's a part of you that realizes this is our fifth day outside for the whole year and as a team, it's our sixth day together since March 12 of last year. We tell them we're not going to lower the standard and not going to make excuses, but at the same time, each day you're out here is a chance to get a little bit better. With Patriot League play, there's a little bit more on the line every game."
Like Lehigh Baseball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Deom, Ryan (1-0)
L: Graeme Carroll (0-1)
Batting:
3B: Jacob Corson 1
RBI: Jacob Corson 1 ; Chris Cannizzaro 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Caleb Broughton 1 ; Jacob Corson 1 ; Peter Marren 1 ; Henry Novicki 1
SB: Logan Kellerman 1
CS: Anthony Sherwin 1
HBP: Peter Marren 1
Batting:
2B: Cichocki , Eric 1 ; Sweeney, Gerard 1
RBI: Cichocki , Eric 1 ; Sweeney, Gerard 1 ; Retzbach, Adam 1 ; Gorla, Joe 1 ; Hubbard, Cam 1
SH: McKenna, Quinn 1
SF: Gorla, Joe 1 ; Hubbard, Cam 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cichocki , Eric 1 ; Sweeney, Gerard 2 ; Rother, Casey 1 ; Young, Tyler 1
SB: Hubbard, Cam 1
HBP: Retzbach, Adam 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
RHP
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