April 11, 2009

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EASTON, Pa. - Lehigh pushed across two runs in the bottom of the seventh to erase a 3-2 Lafayette lead and hold on for a 4-3 win in Patriot League baseball action on Saturday at Kamine Stadium. The teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader, but played just one seven-inning game, as the start of the first contest was delayed until 2:35 p.m. because of rain.

Lafayette (14-16, 4-5) held a 3-2 lead entering the final inning. Lehigh's Jim McConlogue and No. 9 hitter Mark Bernhard (2-for-3) each slapped singles through the right side off Lafayette starter Zach Fritz. Lafayette head coach Joe Kinney made the call to the bullpen for senior closer Brian Mostek. Mostek walked the next batter to load the bases and then hit Geoff Campbell with the first pitch to tie the game at 3-3. Andrew Russell drew a bases-loaded to score Bernhard for the go-ahead run.

A second call for relief went to freshman sidewinder Jeff Snell. He ended the decisive rally with a 4-6-3 doubleplay. In the bottom of the seventh, Lafayette was retired in order by Lehigh starter Andrew Berger (2-4) who collected the win, giving up three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. Fritz (1-2) was handed the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out two and walked one.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. Jeff Butler led off the inning and reached on a throwing error by Lehigh shortstop Geoff Campbell that allowed him to advance all the way to second. With two outs in the inning, Justin Shepherd went the opposite way to right field and plated Butler for the early 1-0 lead.

Lehigh (9-24-1, 3-4) tied the game in the top of the next inning, scoring a run with a two-out bunt single by Bernhard that brought home Bill Goldman. Fritz fielded the suicide squeeze play, but his throw, the runner and first baseman Butler all arrived at first at the same time and Bernhard knocked the ball loose in the collision with Butler to tie the game 1-1.

The Leopards answered with a pair of runs in the home half of the fifth. With runners on second and third and two outs, Lehigh intentionally walked Butler. The next batter, Brad Weiss, went with an 0-2 pitch through the right side of the infield and knocked in two runs. Daniel Bierce and A.J. Pisarri (2-for-4) scored on the play and Lafayette led 3-1.

Lehigh trimmed the Lafayette advantage in the top of the sixth, scoring a run on Bill Swenson's sac fly that followed a pair or singles and a sac bunt. The Mountain Hawks were able to complete the comeback in the seventh.

Lafayette and Lehigh are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 12 p.m. at Kamine Stadium. The final game of the four-game series will likely be played on Monday.