Lehigh University
18-13-1
Rider University
13-14
Lehigh Falls 12-4 To Rider In Liberty Bell Classic Semifinal
4/9/2024 7:22:00 PM | Baseball
Relief pitcher Christian Aiello was credited with the win for Rider (13-14) after allowing no runs with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work. First-year Jack Ingino picked up the loss for Lehigh (18-13-1) after conceding the go-ahead run in 1.2 innings of relief.
The Mountain Hawks quickly got themselves on the board to begin the game, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. After Jake Whitlinger and Braydon Hubbard were both walked, Rafe Perich singled home Whitlinger for the game's first run. In his first game since March 24, Ryan Cochran then reached on a fielder's choice that scored Hubbard to set the score at 2-0.
The Broncs put their first run of the day on the board in the second inning on an infield fly, but were unable to tie the game with starter Grady Golier on the mound. Tyler Young then added another run for his team with an RBI single in the third inning that sent Cochran past home plate. Rider would respond with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame, but the Mountain Hawks still lead 3-2 after three.
Cochran continued to excel in his return to the lineup, as his fourth inning RBI single added another run on the board for Lehigh. However, the Broncs offense continued to stay consistent, scoring three runs across the next three innings to lead 5-4 after six innings.
The Broncs had scored exactly one run in five consecutive innings. However, their offense came alive in the bottom of the seventh. A massive five-run inning allowed the Broncs to extend their lead to six with only six outs remaining for the Mountain Hawks. In addition, Rider added two more in eighth to extend their lead to eight runs. Lehigh was unable to score in the following innings, and the Broncs advanced to their second-straight Liberty Bell Classic final.
The Mountain Hawks are back in action this weekend from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania for a three-game series with the Bucknell Bison. Game one of a doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. on Saturday while game three will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Aiello, C. (2-1)
L: Ingino, Jack (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Cochran, Ryan 1 ; Crawford, Trystan 1 ; Young, Tyler 1
RBI: Perich, Rafe 1 ; Cochran, Ryan 2 ; Young, Tyler 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Whitlinger, Jake 1 ; Hubbard, Braydon 2 ; Cochran, Ryan 1
CS: Whitlinger, Jake 1
PO: Whitlinger, Jake 1
Batting:
2B: Skettini, B. 1 ; Tiroly, J. 1
3B: Hartmann, E. 1
HR: Skettini, B. 1 ; Leahy, M. 1
RBI: Skettini, B. 1 ; Tiroly, J. 3 ; Sica, R. 1 ; Hartmann, E. 2 ; Paskell, A. 1 ; Leahy, M. 3
SF: Tiroly, J. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Winsett, J. 2 ; Skettini, B. 3 ; Tiroly, J. 2 ; Costanzo, J. 1 ; Sica, R. 1 ; Hartmann, E. 1 ; Paskell, A. 1 ; Leahy, M. 1
SB: Winsett, J. 1 ; Leahy, M. 1
CS: Shepherd, M. 1
HBP: Costanzo, J. 1 ; Sica, R. 1
