Double Header on Tap for Terriers
After sweeping conference opponent Lafayette last weekend, the Boston University Terriers (19-20) prepare to add to their repertoire as they square off against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks Wednesday afternoon. Though the two teams were set to square off earlier this month, a mass of rainouts and postponements forced the series to be shifted down to this week at BU’s home field. The Terriers are currently 5-4 in Patriot League play but are scalding hot as they come into the series riding a six game win streak; the scarlet and white have also won seven of their last eight.
The Terriers got offense from a consistent source last game in right fielder Emma Wong. Wong’s three hits and two runs-batted-in led the Terriers onslaught as they shutout the Leopards 5-0 in third game of their season series. The pair of RBIs pushed her total up to 20, second best on the team. The sophomore hails from Solana Beach, California and has already surpassed her RBI total from last year. Additionally, her three hit game pushed her past teammate Jilee Schanada for third place on the Terriers.
On the mound, Melanie Russell and Lauren Hynes once again combined for seven shutout innings. Russell got the start and earned the win after six solid innings where she fanned eight batters. With the win Russell now brings her record up to 7-7, making her and Hynes the only two Terrier pitchers to have .500 or better records. Hynes struck out two of the three batters she faced as the duo continues their combined dominance over opponents.
Lehigh (30-11) comes into the game at an impressive 8-1-conference record with first place well in hand in the Patriot League. The only loss the Mountain Hawks suffered in conference play came at the hands of the Army Black Knights in a double header. Outscoring their Patriot League foes 53-15, Fran Troyan’s squad has been suffocating defensively.
Leading that defense has been the one-two punch of Christine Campbell and Emily Sorem on the mound. The duo has combined for 29 wins and just 11 losses in 46 of 40 starts. Even more startling a stat, both pitchers have double-digit complete games with Campbell spinning 16 to Sorem’s 11. The entire pitching staff – which only consists of one other pitcher, Vicky Lattanzio – has an ERA of 2.62 thanks in large part to both aces sub 2.60 runs allowed per game.
Offensively the Terriers will have to be careful with senior infielder Morgan Decker, who is hitting a mammoth .427, the best batting average in the Patriot League. In addition to her absurd batting average, the Jamison, PA native also leads her team in home runs, with six – the most in the Patriot League – as well as in doubles, with 16, and hits, with 50.
The first game is set to get underway at 1 PM with the second matchup immediately following the first. Game one will air on the Patriot League Network with game 2 on WTBU Sports Radio.