BETHLEHEM, Pa. ? The Monmouth University softball had it's eight-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday afternoon as they were swept by Lehigh in a non-conference doubleheader 5-2 and 9-1. The Hawks fall to 23-10 on the season while Lehigh improves to 26-15-1.

In the first game, Lehigh scored five runs in the third inning to jump in front of MU and went on to defeat the Hawks 5-2. Kristine Sawlsville (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief to keep the Mountain Hawks at bay, while only surrendering one hit and striking out four with no walks.

Candice Palumbo (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and a triple, while also driving in a run to pace the MU offense. Nichole Alvarez (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) had a hit and scored and a run and Jessica Nicola (South Amboy, N.J./Sayreville) had a base hit and a run driven in and Jaime Jurewicz (Holland, Pa./Nazareth Academy) added a single as well.

In the nightcap, Lehigh scored three runs in the second inning and five in the third to pull away from the Hawks. Lee Simonetti (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Our Lady of Lourdes) went 2-for-3 in the leadoff spot for MU, while Lisa DiLeo (Commack, N.Y./Commack) added a base hit as well. Dawn Gilchrist (Newfoundland, N.J./Jefferson) drove in Monmouth's run as she brought around Jessellyn Jackson (Howell, N.J./Colts Neck) in the top of the fifth inning.

Monmouth now focuses their attention to this weekend, when the Hawks hit the road for two pivotal Northeast Conference doubleheaders. MU faces off against Long Island on Saturday, April 21 in a 1 pm doubleheader and then takes on Wagner on Sunday, April 22 at 12 pm.

Pictured: Sophomore Candice Palumbo