Seniors Carissa Zito and Brandi Hawkins run through drills in preparation for a game, Led by senior pitcher Emily Bausher, Lehigh shutout Boston University on Friday, April 17 with a 3-0 victory. (Liz Cornell/B&W Photo)
The Lehigh softball team earned a hard-fought 3-0 win over Boston University at Kaufman Field on Friday.
Lehigh led in the first three innings, but the fourth inning proved to a tough test as the Terriers staged a potential comeback. Boston University had runners on second and third with just one out. However, senior pitcher Emily Bausher saved Lehigh by working her way out of the jam, all the while recording her 600th career strikeout.
Bausher and fellow senior, shortstop Emma Capetz, led the way for the Mountain Hawks throughout the game. Bausher pitched seven shutout innings while allowing only four hits to bring her record to 14-4 on the season. While Bausher took performed well on the mound, Capetz went 3-3 with an RBI.
Lehigh’s first run came in the second inning, when Capetz drove home senior first baseman Cassie Waggy on a two-out RBI triple.
In the next inning, Lehigh junior third baseman Morgan Decker hit an RBI double which gave the Mountain Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Junior second baseman Alexis Watanabe added to Lehigh’s lead in the bottom of the sixth inning by driving in Capetz on an infield single.
In the seventh inning, Boston University was able to put a runner on first with a single and only one out. Bausher then took over for the rest of the inning and completed her shutout.
Friday’s win brings Lehigh to a 28-6 overall record and an 11-1 league record. The team hopes to continue that success going into the Patriot League Tournament.
Preparation for the tournament includes “continuing our hard work at practice and hopefully winning the regular season so we have home field advantage for the tournament,” sophomore Ashley Cole said, adding that this “will put us in a good spot to win the championship.”
The Mountain Hawks have the highest batting average in the Patriot League this season. The team also contributes successes like this to a full team effort.
“You can ask anyone in the lineup or on the bench to make something happen and they will get it done,” junior outfielder Mackenzie Velasquez said. “Since spring break, we have always stepped out onto the field with the mentality that we are going to win which I think has also been difference from last year.”
Capetz agreed that the team’s success has been a group effort.
“Our success this season has been due to our great team chemistry and our continued momentum offensively,” she said.
Lehigh hopes to continue its success in a doubleheader against University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Saturday. Lehigh will face off against Villanova University, Army, Saint Joseph’s University and Colgate University before it begins post-season play in May.
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