Photo Gallery

BETHLEHEM, PA—Lehigh completed a four-game sweep over visiting, NJIT with the Mountain Hawks, breaking open game one in the fifth inning for an 8-4 victory in seven-innings and a 15-4 victory in the nightcap Sunday at J. David Walker Field.

The Mountains Hawks improved to 7-12 on the season, including six home runs and six doubles in the doubleheader sweep Sunday, with four home runs, coming in the first game.  The Highlanders drop its fifth straight game, falling to 3-15 on the season. 

Game One

Lehigh struck first in the first inning and broke open the game in the sixth-inning with six runs.  NJIT got on the board in the bottom of the fifth with a pair of runs and added two additional runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Lehigh freshman Levi Stoudt picked up his second win of the season, pitching 6.0 innings, surrendering two runs (one earned), on five hits with four strikeouts.  Chris Butera recorded his first save of the season, closing out the game in the seventh,
allowing two Highlander hits and runs, while striking out three batters.

Highlander freshman Tyler Stafflinger (1-2) was credited with the loss, pitching 2.0 innings, only letting up one hit, one run, including five strikeouts.  The five strikeouts ties the rookie's season-best mark.

NJIT used three pitchers to finish out the game, John Saviano, Justin Chin and James Sofield.  Sofield pitched a scoreless seventh, retiring the Mountain Hawks, 1-2-3.

Highlander LF Evan Pietronico went 2-for-4 with two RBI, including a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh.  RF Michael Anastasia finished 1-for-3 with one RBI while SS Justin Etts went 2-for-4 with two runs.

Game Two
The Highlanders struck first, scoring three runs in the third inning but Lehigh scored four in the fifth, seven in the sixth and a run in the seventh and ninth inning, cruising to a 15-4 victory.

Mountain Hawks Cole McManimon earned his first victory, going 4.0 innings, letting up three runs (one earned) on two hits. Relief pitcher Matt Ratner finished the final 5.0 innings, giving up only one run on five hits with seven strikeouts for his first save of the season.

NJIT used four pitchers in game two with freshman Aquib Ramkishun, taking the loss, pitching the first five innings.  The last two pitchers for NJIT were the most effective – Bryan Haberstroh, who pitched 2.1 innings, allowing one hit, one run while striking out two Mountain Hawks and Jared Kacso, who closed out the game in the ninth, letting up two hits and one run.

Highlanders Pietronico finished 3-for-4 with one RBI followed by Anastasia, who went 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Lehigh's 1B Connor Donovan finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs while C Jeff Shanfeldt went 3-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored.

The Highlanders got things going early in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs on two hits and two Mountain Hawk errors.  Anastasia drove in the Highlanders only RBI in the inning, on a double to right field.

NJIT open ASUN Conference play on March 31-April 2 when the Highlanders visit Stetson in DeLand, FL. First pitch on March 31 is scheduled for 6pm.