
Photo by: Wendy Charles
Mountain Hawks Return Home For Three-Game Rivalry Series
4/18/2024 4:06:00 PM | Softball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – It's back to Patriot League play for the Lehigh softball team as the Mountain Hawks welcome rival Lafayette to Leadership Park for a three-game weekend series, with The Rivalry presented by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. A doubleheader is set for Saturday and a single game slated for Sunday with action beginning at noon both days. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+. Sunday will also be Senior Day with the Mountain Hawks honoring their four seniors and two fifth-years prior to the series finale.
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Lehigh extended its winning streak to 13 straight with a 2-0 victory at Villanova on Wednesday. Junior Maria Urban and sophomore Chloe Hess combined on a five-hit shutout and junior Julia Mrochko and first-year Gracie Smith drove in runs as the Mountain Hawks picked up their best win of the season in terms of opponents' RPI. The Big East-leading Wildcats are ranked 74th in this week's RPI with Lehigh's previous best win this year (in terms of RPI) coming against No. 79 Iowa State in late February. The Mountain Hawks are 23-14 overall and 9-0 in Patriot League play.
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First-year Peyton Sward had two of Lehigh's seven hits on Wednesday and leads Lehigh with a .407 batting average. Smith has taken over the team lead with 40 hits. Senior Brooke Cannon has scored a team-leading 28 runs, while graduate student Emily Cimino has driven in a team-best 25.
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Senior Katelyn Young anchors the pitching staff. Young has won seven straight decisions, including three shutouts during that span, to improve to 13-7 on the season. Young is 7-0 with a 1.43 ERA in nine appearances during Lehigh's current win streak.
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Hess picked up her third win of the season on Wednesday, while Urban leads the Brown and White with a 2.82 overall ERA this season.
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Those being honored Sunday include Cannon, Young, Ansley Dambach, Amanda Greaney and graduate students Josie Charles and Emily Cimino.
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Lafayette makes the short trip to Bethlehem with a 4-27 overall record and a 1-8 Patriot League mark. The Leopards were swept in series against Bucknell and Colgate and picked up their first league win last weekend against Army West Point. All three games against the Black Knights were competitive with Lafayette winning Saturday's second game and falling in extra innings in Sunday's series finale.
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Mary Grace O'Neill and Megan Coyle are Lafayette's top offensive threats. O'Neill is batting a team best .343 with 35 hits and 22 stolen bases. Coyle is batting .313 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.
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In the circle, Lafayette has used four pitchers with Jacqueline Cal, Morrigan Gardiner and Kailee Sawai all throwing more than 50 innings in the circle.
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Lehigh leads the all-time series 110-24 and has won the last 16 meetings in the series.
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Following this weekend's series, Lehigh will host Saint Joseph's on Wednesday, Apr. 24 before visiting Army West Point for three games Apr. 27-28.
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Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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Lehigh extended its winning streak to 13 straight with a 2-0 victory at Villanova on Wednesday. Junior Maria Urban and sophomore Chloe Hess combined on a five-hit shutout and junior Julia Mrochko and first-year Gracie Smith drove in runs as the Mountain Hawks picked up their best win of the season in terms of opponents' RPI. The Big East-leading Wildcats are ranked 74th in this week's RPI with Lehigh's previous best win this year (in terms of RPI) coming against No. 79 Iowa State in late February. The Mountain Hawks are 23-14 overall and 9-0 in Patriot League play.
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First-year Peyton Sward had two of Lehigh's seven hits on Wednesday and leads Lehigh with a .407 batting average. Smith has taken over the team lead with 40 hits. Senior Brooke Cannon has scored a team-leading 28 runs, while graduate student Emily Cimino has driven in a team-best 25.
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Senior Katelyn Young anchors the pitching staff. Young has won seven straight decisions, including three shutouts during that span, to improve to 13-7 on the season. Young is 7-0 with a 1.43 ERA in nine appearances during Lehigh's current win streak.
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Hess picked up her third win of the season on Wednesday, while Urban leads the Brown and White with a 2.82 overall ERA this season.
Â
Those being honored Sunday include Cannon, Young, Ansley Dambach, Amanda Greaney and graduate students Josie Charles and Emily Cimino.
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Lafayette makes the short trip to Bethlehem with a 4-27 overall record and a 1-8 Patriot League mark. The Leopards were swept in series against Bucknell and Colgate and picked up their first league win last weekend against Army West Point. All three games against the Black Knights were competitive with Lafayette winning Saturday's second game and falling in extra innings in Sunday's series finale.
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Mary Grace O'Neill and Megan Coyle are Lafayette's top offensive threats. O'Neill is batting a team best .343 with 35 hits and 22 stolen bases. Coyle is batting .313 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.
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In the circle, Lafayette has used four pitchers with Jacqueline Cal, Morrigan Gardiner and Kailee Sawai all throwing more than 50 innings in the circle.
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Lehigh leads the all-time series 110-24 and has won the last 16 meetings in the series.
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Following this weekend's series, Lehigh will host Saint Joseph's on Wednesday, Apr. 24 before visiting Army West Point for three games Apr. 27-28.
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Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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