March 26, 2006

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh offense was able to muster just one unearned run all day as visiting Binghamton completed a four-game sweep of the Mountain Hawks with a pair of wins at Lehigh's baseball field on Goodman Campus on Sunday afternoon. Binghamton won the first game 3-0, and game two by a 5-1 score. The victories improve Binghamton's record to 7-5-1 on the season. The losses - Lehigh's fourth and fifth straight - drop the Mountain Hawks to 8-15 in 2006.

The first game was well-pitched on both sides. The Bearcats picked up three unearned runs in the top of the first, but that was all the scoring. Binghamton's Mike Van Gorder (1-0) allowed just two hits while striking out four en route to the complete game victory. For Lehigh, sophomore Joe Matteo (Fort Washington, Pa./Germantown Academy) suffered the tough-luck loss. Matteo scattered seven hits and struck out six in a complete game effort. Despite not allowing an earned run, Matteo saw his record slip to 2-3 on the season.

Lehigh center fielder Joe Ercolano (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield) and catcher Matt McBride (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) had the only two hits of the game for the Mountain Hawks.

In the second game, the Bearcats jumped on Lehigh starter Adam Marr (Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich) for three runs in the game's first three innings to take a 3-0 lead. Marr (0-3) allowed seven hits in his time on the hill. Sophomore Billy Alec (Edison, N.J./Edison Twp.) pitched well out of the bullpen, scattering three hits and striking out a pair over four innings of work.

Offensively, Lehigh's lone run came in the home half of the fourth when Nick Bet (Coplay, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) reached on an infield hit and later scored on a sacrifice fly by McBride, the Patriot League's leader in runs batted in.

Binghamton freshman Jeff Dennis (1-1) worked the game's first six innings - allowing one unearned run - to pick up his first collegiate win.

With the setbacks, the Mountain Hawks drop to 1-7 at home this season.

Lehigh's nine-game home stand continues Tuesday, when the Mountain Hawks host Temple at the baseball field on Goodman Campus. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm. Earlier this month, Lehigh topped the Owls by a 23-4 score in Ambler, Pa.