April 20, 2002
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) -
The Lafayette softball team dropped a Patriot League doubleheader to Lehigh on Saturday at Metzgar Field. The Leopard defense held the Mountain Hawks to a two-run lead in the first game but were unable to convert from the plate and fell 2-0 in game one. Behind a solid pitching effort and offensive rhythm, Lehigh defeated Lafayette 10-0 in six innings in the nightcap.
Lafayette (5-24, 1-13) gave up two runs in the third inning of game one on a series of errors and a sacrifice fly from Carrie Yeakel that allowed Stephanie Digneo to cross the plate. Lehigh held on for the 2-0 win.
Lafayette recorded two hits including one from Liz Lucisano and one from pitcher Jackie Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was credited with the loss on the mound while fanning one batter, and Lehigh's Jenny Bender picked up the win while striking out six batters.
The Mountain Hawks left nine batters stranded in the first game while Lafayette left six batters on base. Lehigh connected for five hits to the Leopards' two.
Lehigh (27-12, 11-3) struck first in game two, scoring four runs in the first inning led by Digneo's two-RBI double to center field. Stephanie Howell followed to double up the left side to bring in Chris Duncan and Digneo for a 4-0 Mountain Hawk lead.
Lafayette's best chance to score came in the third inning when Danielle Bernotsky advanced on an error in left field. With runners in scoring position, Becky Foley turned the corner for home but was out on the throw.
Lehigh stretched its' lead to 10-0 in the fifth inning. Howell hit a grand-slam home run to score Duncan, Bender and Liz Gripp.
Lafayette's Laura Schrager recorded the Leopards' lone hit in game two. Mollie Moschberger was credited with the loss while Lehigh's Emily Ling struck out five batters in the win.
Lafayette hosts Lehigh for the second day of a Patriot League doubleheader series at Metzgar Field starting at 12 p.m.
