Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Lehigh took both games of Saturday's doubleheader, winning the first contest 7-1 before needing extra innings to snag a 5-4 decision on the opening weekend of Patriot League play.

Lafayette took the early lead in the second game, scoring four runs over the first three innings. In the first inning with two outs, Brooke Wenesel (2-for-5) connected for an RBI-single that plated Samantha Sweigart.

The visitors stretched the advantage to 2-0 when pitcher Kristyn Marinelli doubled in Rebecca Dvorak. Then, in the third, Dvorak did the damage, doubling to the gap in right centerfield as Lafayette led 4-0.

The fourth was the big inning for Lehigh (18-7, 2-0) which evened the score with four runs. Carolyn Wright (2-run single), Jessica Calvini (single) and Rachel Timberman (double) all drove in runs to knot the score at 4-4.

Lafayette (6-15, 0-2) loaded the bases with one out in the fifth before Lehigh pitcher and first game starter Christine Campbell (11-3) came out of the bullpen to get two quick outs and end the threat.

The Leopards were retired in order in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. Marinelli continued to pitch into the ninth frame, hitting the first batter, Alexis Watanabe. After a line out, Vicky Lattanzio and MacKenzie Velasquez each singled to load the bases before Lafayette went to its bullpen for Lindsey Cherry. The first batter she faced, Wright (3-for-4, 3 RBI) singled up the middle to give Lehigh the 5-4 win.

Marinelli (2-4) threw 8.1 innings, allowing five runs on 12 hits with three walks and a strikeout in the loss. Campbell held the Leopards to just one hit in 3.2 innings after Lehigh lifted starter Emily Sorem (5.1 IP, 7H, 4ER).

In the first game, Campbell was equally impressive, giving up one run on three hits in a 7-1 final. The hosts scored at least one run in every inning but the fourth.

Katie Schultz drove in two runs in the first with a single and Lindsay Phillips stretched the Lehigh lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the second with a solo home run. The hosts added two more runs in the third and single tallies in the fifth and sixth innings to lead 7-0.

Lafayette loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the sixth, but could not plate a run, leaving six baserunners on in the game. In the seventh, Lafayette scored its only run of the game when Jenna Orlando doubled in Miranda Skurla (single).

Stephanie Thomas (1-8) was the circle loser for the Leopards, allowing five runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings. Cherry tossed the final 3.2 innings, giving up two runs (both unearned) on four hits with two strikeouts.

Lafayette and Lehigh finish off the Patriot League-opening series with a single game on Sunday at noon.