Wednesday, April 17
Villanova, Pa.
3:30 PM
Lehigh University
22-15
2
at
0
Villanova
22-18
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Lehigh
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
7
0
Villanova
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
Photo by: Mario Terrana
Lehigh Rides Pitching, Defense To 2-0 Victory At Villanova
4/17/2024 5:31:00 PM | Softball
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Junior Maria Urban and sophomore Chloe Hess combined on a five-hit shutout as Lehigh extended its winning streak to 13 straight with a 2-0 win over Big East-leading Villanova Wednesday at VU Softball Field. Lehigh's pitching duo benefitted from strong defense while helping strand eight Wildcats on base.
First-year Peyton Sward had two of Lehigh's seven hits, while junior Julia Mrochko and first-year Gracie Smith drove in runs for the Mountain Hawks, who are now 23-14 on the season.
Lehigh struck for a two-out run in the top of the second as first-year Holly Lovett singled up the middle and then scored on a Mrochko double to right center.
Sward then led off the third with a single and came around to score two batters later as Smith singled to left center.
Urban opened the game with three shutout innings in the circle for the Mountain Hawks. After a double and a walk opened the home fourth, Hess came out of the bullpen. A single loaded the bases but Hess got Chloe Smith to ground to Lovett at third and Lovett started a 5-2-3 double play to keep Villanova off the board. Hess then struck out Madison Ostrowski to end the inning.
Villanova (22-18) put runners on base in each of the first six innings but was unable to score.
Hess threw a 1-2-3 seventh, adding two more strikeouts to secure Lehigh's seventh shutout of the season. She earned her third win of the season and second in as many games, allowing three hits over four innings with no walks and six strikeouts.
Urban allowed two hits over three-plus innings with five walks and a strikeout.
The Mountain Hawks return home this weekend to host Lafayette in the Rivalry, presented by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. A doubleheader is set for Saturday at noon, followed by a single game Sunday at noon. Lehigh will honor its senior class prior to Sunday's series finale.
Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
First-year Peyton Sward had two of Lehigh's seven hits, while junior Julia Mrochko and first-year Gracie Smith drove in runs for the Mountain Hawks, who are now 23-14 on the season.
Lehigh struck for a two-out run in the top of the second as first-year Holly Lovett singled up the middle and then scored on a Mrochko double to right center.
Sward then led off the third with a single and came around to score two batters later as Smith singled to left center.
Urban opened the game with three shutout innings in the circle for the Mountain Hawks. After a double and a walk opened the home fourth, Hess came out of the bullpen. A single loaded the bases but Hess got Chloe Smith to ground to Lovett at third and Lovett started a 5-2-3 double play to keep Villanova off the board. Hess then struck out Madison Ostrowski to end the inning.
Villanova (22-18) put runners on base in each of the first six innings but was unable to score.
Hess threw a 1-2-3 seventh, adding two more strikeouts to secure Lehigh's seventh shutout of the season. She earned her third win of the season and second in as many games, allowing three hits over four innings with no walks and six strikeouts.
Urban allowed two hits over three-plus innings with five walks and a strikeout.
The Mountain Hawks return home this weekend to host Lafayette in the Rivalry, presented by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. A doubleheader is set for Saturday at noon, followed by a single game Sunday at noon. Lehigh will honor its senior class prior to Sunday's series finale.
Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hess, Chloe (3-5)
L: GALLANT, Kat (4-4)
Batting:
2B: Mrochko, Julia 1
RBI: Smith, Gracie 1 ; Mrochko, Julia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lovett, Holly 1 ; Sward, Peyton 1
Batting:
2B: FRANZ, Ava 2
Base Running:
CS: WHITE, Kelsey 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballLehigh Sports Central: Softball
Wednesday, April 30
2025 Season Preview: Softball
Thursday, February 06
Lehigh Sports Central: Softball
Wednesday, April 17
