Lehigh University Athletics
Friday, May 3
Boston, Mass.
1:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
Boston U.
Photo by: Wendy Charles
Lehigh-Boston U. Battle For First Place Now Beginning Friday In Boston
5/2/2024 2:04:00 PM | Softball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh softball heads to Boston on Friday to open a three-game series against No. 22 Boston University. Originally scheduled for a weekend series, the series was moved up to Friday and Saturday because of the weather forecast on Sunday. The series will begin with a Friday doubleheader and will conclude with a single game Saturday. Action both days will begin at noon with broadcast coverage on ESPN+.
There is plenty at stake for the top two teams in the Patriot League standings heading into the weekend. The winner of the series will earn the No.1 seed and the opportunity to host the Patriot League Tournament next week.
Lehigh (30-15) is coming off a 5-0 win on Tuesday against Princeton as the Mountain Hawks tossed a three-hit shutout against the top team in the Ivy League. Tuesday's victory marks Lehigh's 20th win in its last 21 games.
The Mountain Hawks are 14-1 in Patriot League play with the only blemish coming in last weekend's series opener at Army West Point.
First-year players have made major contributions for the Mountain Hawks all season long. The trio of Holly Lovett, Gracie Smith and Peyton Sward have combined to win six of the league's 12 Rookie of the Week awards this season, with Lovett winning her third on Tuesday.
Graduate student Emily Cimino had a big series at Army with a grand slam and six RBIs in last Saturday's doubleheader. Cimino has moved into third place on the Lehigh and Patriot League's career RBIs list with 162. She is three RBIs behind the co-record holders Liz Lucas '13 and Kim Miller '96.
On Tuesday, junior Rory Dudley and Lovett both had two hits, with Dudley going 2-for-2 with a walk and a big two-run home run.
Junior Maria Urban and sophomore Chloe Hess combined on the three-hit shutout. Senior Katelyn Young (16-8) owns more than half of Lehigh's overall victories in the circle and has been outstanding in league play, going 9-1 with a 1.54 ERA in league games.
Boston University (46-4-1) is undefeated against Patriot League teams this season, going 15-0. The Terriers are unbeaten in their last 20 games, with 19 wins and a tie against Providence on April 23.
The Terriers have three players - Caitlin Coker, Lauren Keleher, and Kayla Roncin - all hitting over .400 this season. Keleher, a senior outfielder, also leads BU with eight home runs and 16 doubles. Her 41 RBIs are second on the team, trailing only Roncin who has 43. Additionally, sophomore standout Kasey Ricard is ranked in the top three for six NCAA Division I pitching categories and was just named a Top 26 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Ricard has been dominant this season as she has tossed three no-hitters and leads the nation with 14 shutouts. Additionally, she is third in the country with 223 strikeouts and third with 23 victories.
Lehigh trails 23-17 in the all-time series against Boston University. These teams met under similar circumstances last season with both teams 15-0 heading into the final weekend of the regular season. BU swept a Saturday doubleheader to claim the No. 1 seed before Lehigh won the regular season finale. The Terriers also picked up an 8-3 win last May in game three of the Patriot League Tournament on the way to their title.
The Mountain Hawks and Terriers have combined to win the last nine Patriot League titles since BU joined the league in 2014. Lehigh has won three of those titles (2015, 2017 and 2022). With a series win this weekend Lehigh would host the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since 2017.
The Patriot League Tournament begins Thursday, May 9 on the home field of the highest seed. Lehigh and Boston University are guaranteed top two seeds. Bucknell has also clinched a tournament berth and the winner of this weekend's Army West Point-Colgate series will claim the final spot.
Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
There is plenty at stake for the top two teams in the Patriot League standings heading into the weekend. The winner of the series will earn the No.1 seed and the opportunity to host the Patriot League Tournament next week.
Lehigh (30-15) is coming off a 5-0 win on Tuesday against Princeton as the Mountain Hawks tossed a three-hit shutout against the top team in the Ivy League. Tuesday's victory marks Lehigh's 20th win in its last 21 games.
The Mountain Hawks are 14-1 in Patriot League play with the only blemish coming in last weekend's series opener at Army West Point.
First-year players have made major contributions for the Mountain Hawks all season long. The trio of Holly Lovett, Gracie Smith and Peyton Sward have combined to win six of the league's 12 Rookie of the Week awards this season, with Lovett winning her third on Tuesday.
Graduate student Emily Cimino had a big series at Army with a grand slam and six RBIs in last Saturday's doubleheader. Cimino has moved into third place on the Lehigh and Patriot League's career RBIs list with 162. She is three RBIs behind the co-record holders Liz Lucas '13 and Kim Miller '96.
On Tuesday, junior Rory Dudley and Lovett both had two hits, with Dudley going 2-for-2 with a walk and a big two-run home run.
Junior Maria Urban and sophomore Chloe Hess combined on the three-hit shutout. Senior Katelyn Young (16-8) owns more than half of Lehigh's overall victories in the circle and has been outstanding in league play, going 9-1 with a 1.54 ERA in league games.
Boston University (46-4-1) is undefeated against Patriot League teams this season, going 15-0. The Terriers are unbeaten in their last 20 games, with 19 wins and a tie against Providence on April 23.
The Terriers have three players - Caitlin Coker, Lauren Keleher, and Kayla Roncin - all hitting over .400 this season. Keleher, a senior outfielder, also leads BU with eight home runs and 16 doubles. Her 41 RBIs are second on the team, trailing only Roncin who has 43. Additionally, sophomore standout Kasey Ricard is ranked in the top three for six NCAA Division I pitching categories and was just named a Top 26 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Ricard has been dominant this season as she has tossed three no-hitters and leads the nation with 14 shutouts. Additionally, she is third in the country with 223 strikeouts and third with 23 victories.
Lehigh trails 23-17 in the all-time series against Boston University. These teams met under similar circumstances last season with both teams 15-0 heading into the final weekend of the regular season. BU swept a Saturday doubleheader to claim the No. 1 seed before Lehigh won the regular season finale. The Terriers also picked up an 8-3 win last May in game three of the Patriot League Tournament on the way to their title.
The Mountain Hawks and Terriers have combined to win the last nine Patriot League titles since BU joined the league in 2014. Lehigh has won three of those titles (2015, 2017 and 2022). With a series win this weekend Lehigh would host the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since 2017.
The Patriot League Tournament begins Thursday, May 9 on the home field of the highest seed. Lehigh and Boston University are guaranteed top two seeds. Bucknell has also clinched a tournament berth and the winner of this weekend's Army West Point-Colgate series will claim the final spot.
Like Lehigh Softball on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
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