Lehigh University Athletics

Photo by: Luke Eiles
Lehigh Tops Tarleton State, Sees Comeback at Elon Fall Short in 1-1 Saturday
3/14/2026 6:36:00 PM | Softball
GREENSBORO/ELON, N.C. – Day two of the UNCG Tournament saw Lehigh split two games Saturday. The Mountain Hawks began the day with an impressive 9-1, five-inning win over Tarleton State at UNC Greensboro. Lehigh then headed east to Elon where the Mountain Hawks fell behind 7-0 after three innings before rallying late but ultimately falling 7-6.
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Sophomore Kelly Fricker led Lehigh offensively with five hits on the day. The Mountain Hawks are now 14-10 on the season.
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In Saturday's first game, Lehigh avenged an 8-1 loss to Tarleton State on Friday by scoring the game's first nine runs. Sophomore Lizzie Kern jumpstarted the Mountain Hawks with a two-out, three-run triple, giving Lehigh the early 3-0 lead.
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The Mountain Hawks scored five runs in the second with junior Gracie Smith, senior Sydney Parlett and first-year Megan Lodge driving in runs without hitting the ball past the pitcher's circle. Junior Holly Lovett capped the inning with a two-run double to right center.
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Fricker led off the bottom of the third with her third home run of the season out to right field.
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Tarleton State's Casey Schultz spoiled the shutout with a home run with two outs in the fifth. First-year Addison Moorman allowed just two hits to earn the win in the circle.
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Fricker was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored in addition to the home run. Smith also picked up two hits.
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The Mountain Hawks fell behind Elon 7-0 before battling back. Lehigh was hurt by two-out runs against Elon, with Greta Hessenthaler delivering a two-out RBI double in the first inning, and then Mauri Murray connecting on a grand slam with two outs in the second to put the Phoenix up 5-0.
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Lehigh trailed 7-0 entering the sixth but scored six runs. Junior Peyton Sward opened the scoring with an RBI on a bases-loaded fielder's choice. First-year Kyra Neiswender followed with a two-run single and then senior Abbey Tabaka cleared the bases with a three-run double. The Mountain Hawks put the tying run at third base with one out but were unable to pull even.
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Sward doubled with two outs in the seventh to keep the game going but Lia Miller got Neiswender to pop out to end the game.
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Fricker added two more hits for the Mountain Hawks, who finished with seven.
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Sophomore Madison Finnerty started in the circle and took the loss allowing five runs over 1.2 innings. First-year Maddie Masiko did deliver 3.2 innings of scoreless relief as Lehigh mounted its comeback.
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The Mountain Hawks will close out action in North Carolina with a Sunday game in Greensboro against UNCG. Game time is set for 10 a.m. with broadcast coverage on ESPN+.
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Sophomore Kelly Fricker led Lehigh offensively with five hits on the day. The Mountain Hawks are now 14-10 on the season.
Â
In Saturday's first game, Lehigh avenged an 8-1 loss to Tarleton State on Friday by scoring the game's first nine runs. Sophomore Lizzie Kern jumpstarted the Mountain Hawks with a two-out, three-run triple, giving Lehigh the early 3-0 lead.
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The Mountain Hawks scored five runs in the second with junior Gracie Smith, senior Sydney Parlett and first-year Megan Lodge driving in runs without hitting the ball past the pitcher's circle. Junior Holly Lovett capped the inning with a two-run double to right center.
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Fricker led off the bottom of the third with her third home run of the season out to right field.
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Tarleton State's Casey Schultz spoiled the shutout with a home run with two outs in the fifth. First-year Addison Moorman allowed just two hits to earn the win in the circle.
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Fricker was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored in addition to the home run. Smith also picked up two hits.
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The Mountain Hawks fell behind Elon 7-0 before battling back. Lehigh was hurt by two-out runs against Elon, with Greta Hessenthaler delivering a two-out RBI double in the first inning, and then Mauri Murray connecting on a grand slam with two outs in the second to put the Phoenix up 5-0.
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Lehigh trailed 7-0 entering the sixth but scored six runs. Junior Peyton Sward opened the scoring with an RBI on a bases-loaded fielder's choice. First-year Kyra Neiswender followed with a two-run single and then senior Abbey Tabaka cleared the bases with a three-run double. The Mountain Hawks put the tying run at third base with one out but were unable to pull even.
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Sward doubled with two outs in the seventh to keep the game going but Lia Miller got Neiswender to pop out to end the game.
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Fricker added two more hits for the Mountain Hawks, who finished with seven.
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Sophomore Madison Finnerty started in the circle and took the loss allowing five runs over 1.2 innings. First-year Maddie Masiko did deliver 3.2 innings of scoreless relief as Lehigh mounted its comeback.
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The Mountain Hawks will close out action in North Carolina with a Sunday game in Greensboro against UNCG. Game time is set for 10 a.m. with broadcast coverage on ESPN+.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Moorman, Addison (5-2)
L: McKean, Taylor (3-1)
Batting:
HR: Schultz, Casey 1
RBI: Schultz, Casey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Schultz, Casey 1
HBP: Fox, Hayden 1

Batting:
2B: Lovett, Holly 1 ; Fricker, Kelly 2
3B: Kern, Lizzie 1
HR: Fricker, Kelly 1
RBI: Kern, Lizzie 3 ; Smith, Gracie 1 ; Lovett, Holly 2 ; Fricker, Kelly 1 ; Parlett, Sydney 1 ; Lodge, Megan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kern, Lizzie 1 ; Smith, Gracie 1 ; Fricker, Kelly 2 ; Duenas, Crysta 1 ; Sward, Peyton 1 ; Parlett, Sydney 1 ; Lodge, Megan 2
SB: Sward, Peyton 1
HBP: Lovett, Holly 1
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