The Lehigh baseball team fell short offensively to the University of Delaware in a mid-week home game Tuesday. The Mountain Hawks could not compete with the Blue Hens’ offense and came up with only five hits compared to Delaware’s 10.
Lehigh freshman pitcher John Fitz received his first start in Tuesday’s game and held the Blue Hens to zero runs until the third inning when Delaware’s Ty Warrington hit a double and then later scored off of a hit made by team captain Joe Giacchino.
But Lehigh was not able to respond, and it only sent three batters to the plate before the inning was over.
The Blue Hens then brought in a three-run inning in the fifth, bringing the score to 4-0. Giacchino scored first off of a controversial hit made by Zach Lopes. The hit was initially called out by the umpire, who then reversed his decision after realizing the Lehigh right fielder had dropped the ball.
Delaware junior Gary Jones came to bat and closed out the inning with a two-run homer that brought in Lopes.
Freshman pitcher Michael Schwab replaced Fitz and pitched 4.1 innings.
Fitz was pleased with his performance, saying that he showed people he can “compete on the mound.” Looking ahead, he plans on “working on getting ahead in counts and being less predictable.”
Schwabb was able to hold off the aggressive Blue Hens’ offense. Unfortunately, Lehigh struggled to get people on base until the seventh inning when senior shortstop John Elson hit a rocket triple to center field. Delaware’s pitcher then walked junior outfielder Anthony Rinaldi.
Sophomore catcher John Scarr then made a hard hit up the first base line and Delaware’s first basemen was unable to field it cleanly, bringing Elson home safe for Lehigh’s first and only run.
The loss brings the Mountain Hawks’ non-league record to 5-16. The team boasts a league record of 7-5.
Junior second baseman Mike Garzillo was happy with his team’s performance this year and is proud of his team for holding second place in the Patriot League. Moving forward, he said he’d like to see the team secure first place in the Patriot League and play with more energy during in the games coming up.
Freshman Mark Washington hopes “to see good outings from Kevin Long, Pete Moore and Brandon Kulp as they are all coming off injuries.” He is also hoping to see the team perform offensively and said the game will be a good “momentum builder” for the team as it prepares for its weekend game against Patriot League rival Navy.
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