BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lafayette closed the 2026 regular season on Sunday, dropping an 8-1 decision to rival Lehigh.
The Mountain Hawks jumped ahead early with a five-run first inning. Leopard starter Sophia Alvarez-Backus allowed walks to two of the first three batters she faced, placing the hosts on first and second with one out. Back-to-back RBI-singles by Lizzie Kern and Gracie Smith granted a 2-0 advantage prior to a Sydney Parlett double to plate Kern (3-0). Andy Hegarty came in to relieve Alvarez-Backus immediately after. Lehigh added two more runs via a Leopard error and a fielder's choice for a 5-0 advantage.
Lehigh plated two runners in the bottom of the second frame. With the bases loaded and one out, Parlett showed good plate discipline to draw a walk and bring home a run. Abbey Tabaka followed up the walk with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Kern for a 7-0 lead.
The Maroon and White's offense started to click in their half of the third, tallying one run on two hits. Caroline Hall and Dani Rosner reached base on consecutive fielder's choices before Kylee Sweet collected a five-pitch walk. With one out in the inning, Regan Dillon took advantage of the bases-loaded opportunity, knocking a single to center field to bring home Hall (7-1).Â
Lehigh's Chloe Hess limited the damage, forcing Ava Butler to ground out into a double play to end the half inning. The Mountain Hawks countered with another run in the bottom of the frame. Kelly Fricker scampered home after Maia D'Amico was caught in a rundown for the final out of the third. Fricker was the final run pushed across by either team and finalized the 8-1 score for the hosts.
Alvarez-Backus was dealt the loss after pitching 0.1 innings and allowing five runs, three of which were earned, on three hits. Hess pitched all seven innings for Lehigh, giving up one run on just five hits for the win.
Lafayette concludes the regular season with an overall record of 16-34 and a conference mark of 7-11. The Leopards clinched the No. 4 seed in the Patriot League Tournament for their first postseason berth since 2012. The Maroon and White take on No. 1 seed Boston U. on Thursday at noon.
