BETHLEHEM, Pa. ? The Monmouth University softball team was swept by Lehigh, the top team in the Patriot League, in a nonconference doubleheader on Thursday at Kaufman Field, dropping the first game 4-3 in nine innings and the second contest 6-3 in a darkness-shortened six innings. MU falls to 22-15-1 on the season while the Mountain Hawks improve to 29-16-1.
In the first game of the day, the Hawks took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, where Lehigh was able to score the equalizer and take the contest to extras. MU took a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth when sophomore Abby Martin (Oswego, N.Y./Oswego) came around to score on a Lehigh error after singling, but the Hawks could not hold the lead. A pair of run scoring singles, with the walk-off hit coming from Alex Cueva, sent the Mountain Hawks to the win.
Martin opened MU's scoring in the first contest, coming home on a single to right center from freshman Chelsea Paprocki (Manassas, Va. /Forest Park) to tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth after Lehigh had got on the board in the fourth frame. The Blue and White then took a 2-1 lead after Emily deLong (Rothschild, Wisc./DC Everest) tripled and was chased home by Nichole Alvarez's (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) single, setting up the late-game dramatics.
Sophomore Melissa Mehrer (Florence, N.J./Florence Township) started the first game, but did not factor in the decision. She went 4.0 innings, giving up four hits and one earned run with three strikeouts and no walks. Classmate Dara Palms (Humble, Tex. /Humble) came on in relief and ultimately earned the loss, her first of the season. She surrendered 10 hits in 4.1 innings of work, giving up three runs, two of which were earned. The sophomore also struck out one batter and walked two.
In the second contest, Monmouth took a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Alvarez doubled down the right field line, plating Paprocki and deLong, who each singled. The Hawks would increase their lead to 3-0 in the third inning after senior Jessellyn Jackson (Howell, N.J./Colts Neck) drove in Alexa Ferrara (West Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) with a two-out single.
Lehigh would add one run in the bottom of the third before tacking on five in the bottom of the sixth to come away with the win. The game was called after six innings due to darkness.
Mehrer took the loss in the nightcap, giving up seven hits and six earned runs in 5.1 innings of work, to fall to 13-8. She struck out three batters and walked five. She gave way to Palms, who pitched the final .2 of an inning, giving up one hit.
Paprocki went 2-for-4 in the second game in the leadoff spot, while Ferrara went 2-for-3 in the game.
Monmouth returns to action on Saturday when they visit Central Connecticut State for a 1:00 pm Northeast Conference doubleheader.
