May 9, 2009

Box Score | Photo Gallery

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lafayette softball team battled toe-to-toe with Lehigh through seven scoreless innings. But in the top of the eighth, Lisa Sweeney's double in the lead off spot cracked the dam Lafayette had built, and a deluge of runs provided the Mountain Hawks with a 9-0 victory in the Patriot League Championship on Saturday.

The Leopards, who had never reached the title game until 2008, finished as runner-up for the second straight year. Stacey Kushner, Christina Giambrone and Kasey Karr were named to the Patriot League All-Tournament Team.

Karr once again anchored the defense with a steady performance, allowing just four hits until the extra inning. Kushner, in addition to making several acrobatic catches on a sore knee, went 2-for-3 with a double in the second inning.

Lafayette could not capitalize on its best chance to score in the bottom of the sixth. Leadoff hitter Gwen Turner reached on an error by the first baseman, and Karr sacrificed to advance the freshman to second.

After the Mountain Hawks intentionally walked Giambrone, Kushner loaded the bases with a single to right field. Unfortunately, the next two batters were retired, leaving all three runners stranded.

Lafayette finished the season with a 17-29 record.

Game Notes Giambrone finished with the fourth highest single-season batting average (.385) in program history. She also became the single season record holder for runs (36), walks (37), and home runs (14).

Karr finished with 10 wins, the fourth most in a single season in school history. She also finished with the second-most strikeouts (107), trailing Ali Henry by two.