Bucknell University
Lehigh*
Bucknell Softball Drops Two Games to Lehigh
4/14/2007 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 14, 2007
Box Score - Game 1 | Box Score - Game 2 | 1997 Team Reunion Photo Gallery 
LEWISBURG, Pa. - On a day that was highlighted by ceremonies honoring Bucknell's three seniors as well as the Bison's 1997 Patriot League Championship team, the Bucknell softball team was swept by Lehigh 6-2 and 10-2 in a game that was shortened to five innings Saturday afternoon at West Fields.
The Bison did total nine hits in the first game as Ashley Carlson (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury), Erin Curatola (River Edge, N.J./Diver Dell) and Sherry Finkel (Morgantown, W. Va./University) each posted two-hit contests. However, Bucknell managed just two runs, both after the Mountain Hawks had already built a commanding 6-0 lead with two runs in each of the first three innings.
Bucknell (7-25, 1-7 Patriot League) touched starter Lisa Sweeney (13-4) for just two hits in her three innings of work. Stefanie Forlenza pitched the final four innings and Bucknell touched her for seven hits and both of its runs. The second double of the game by Finkel plated Lauren Litts (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg) for the first run in the sixth, while Carlson grounded out to first with pinch runner Lauren Trosch (Reisterstown, Md./McDonough) on third for her sixth run batted in of the season.
Lehigh (24-15-1, 11-1 Patriot League), which scored all 16 of its runs in the doubleheader in the first three innings, plated all six of its runs in the game one in the first three frames. Meaghan Haley (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) started and yielded all six runs on eight hits and a walk. She was removed from the game in favor of Meg Muirhead (Glendale, Calif./Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy) one out into the third inning following a two-run home run by Whitney Schenbeck. Muirhead was masterful in relief, giving up just two hits and one walk in her 4.2 scoreless innings.
Mendy Martin, who was a perfect 4-for-4 in the doubleheader, led Lehigh with a 3-for-3 performance in game one. Schenbeck and Whitney Lowe also produced two hits apiece.
Tiffany Curtis (8-7) stifled the Bison hitters in the second game, and the Mountain Hawks' offense touched Christie Wiest (Centre Hall, Pa./Penns Valley) (4-12) and Katie McDonald (York, Pa./West York Area) for four runs in the second inning and six in the third. Muirhead again came in and shut down the Mountain Hawks, pitching the final 2.1 innings without allowing a run. In fact, she gave up just three hits and three walks in her seven innings of relief work in the doubleheader.
Curtis allowed just one Bucknell hit, that a two-out single up the middle by Curatola in the first inning, through the first four innings. She was replaced by Danielle Clark at the beginning of the fifth with the Mountain Hawks leading 10-0. Bucknell quickly loaded the bases against her, and Monica Grinage (Rankin, Pa./Shady Side Academy) and Carlson picked up runs batted in as the Bison tried to extend the game by drawing to within eight runs.
A walk to Alyssa Okita (Davis, Calif./Davis) was the final batter for Clark as the Mountain Hawks turned back to Curtis, who struck out Mary Pavlovich (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) to end the game.
Carlson and Curatola led the way for Bucknell in the doubleheader with three hits apiece.
Prior to the first game the three seniors on the Bison roster were honored as part of Senior Day ceremonies. Bucknell's Class of 207 includes Grinage, Jennifer James (Ambler, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) and Litts. James, who has been injured all year, played the top of the first inning of game one at her customary second base position before being removed. She also appeared in game two as a pinch runner.
In between contests of the doubleheader Bucknell's 1997 Patriot League Championship team was honored on the field as the 10-year anniversary of the Bison's only Patriot League title approaches.
Bucknell will conclude its stretch of 12 home games in a 13-contest stretch when it hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) Thursday, April 19, at West Field. First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.
