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EASTON Pa. -- Lehigh scored a pair of runs in the top of the first and never trailed, handing Lafayette a 4-1 decision on Saturday afternoon in the first game of a three-game Patriot League softball series at Metzgar Fields.

Carolyn Wright's two-out, two-run single did the damage in the first inning, as Lafayette starter Kristyn Marinelli looked to escape the inning unscathed despite hitting two batters and walking another. With one out in the inning and the bases loaded, the senior fielded a ground ball and threw to home for the force out before Wright's single got through the left side of the infield.

The Leopards (2-11, 0-4) answered with a run in the third inning. With two outs, Samantha Sweigart reached on an infield hit. Jenna Orlando came through with an RBI-double over the rightfielder's head to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Lehigh (12-14, 4-0) added a single score in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk and another in the fifth on a sac fly to push the advantage to 4-1. Marinelli faced one more batter in the fifth before giving way to Stephanie Thomas. Thomas caught a runner on a delayed steal, and then a ground-out ended the inning.

Thomas threw the final 2.2 innings, allowing only an infield single to the eight batters she faced. Emily Sorem (4-6) was effective in the circle for Lehigh, striking out five while giving up one run on five hits in seven innings. Marinelli (0-5) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on three hits.

The teams will finish the series on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.