Lehighsports.com

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Senior Mendy Martin and junior Megan Conrad had two hits apiece, but it was not enough to lead the Mountain Hawks past one of the northeast’s top teams, as Lehigh fell to Hofstra 6-0 on a cold, wet Wednesday afternoon at Kaufman Field. The teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader, but rains forced the change to a single game, won by the Pride, as Hofstra picks up its seventh straight win and improves to 20-11. With the loss, Lehigh is now 15-14-1 on the season.

The Pride took an early 2-0 lead on single runs in the second and third innings. Laura Jaxheimer delivered a sacrifice fly to bring in the games’ first run, while Courtney Oliver made Lehigh pay for a two-out error with an RBI single in the third.

Lehigh out-hit Hofstra 7-6 on the afternoon but failed to capitalize on opportunities with runners in scoring position in the second, third and fifth innings.

Hofstra added four runs in the sixth inning on an RBI triple, a wild pitch and a two run single.

Senior Stefanie Forlenza (1-3) started in the pitcher’s circle for Lehigh, allowing six runs on six hits while striking out three and walking five. Only three of the runs against Forlenza were earned, and the right-hander helped her own cause in the fifth inning, when she loaded the bases before inducing a lineout and then starting a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning.

Pride pitcher Joanna Kralowetz (8-3) scattered seven hits, while striking out to earn the shutout. Kralowetz was able to work around five singles and doubles from Martin and senior Lauren Haney to keep the Mountain Hawks off the scoreboard.

The Mountain Hawks will return to the diamond on Saturday, when they resume Patriot League play with a four-game series against Lafayette. The teams will play doubleheaders on both Saturday and Sunday, with first pitch for game on Saturday scheduled for noon from Lehigh’s Kaufman Field.