BOSTON – Colgate's bats fell silent and Lehigh used an early surge to come away with a 7-0 victory in the first round of the Patriot League tournament on Thursday at the Boston University Softball Field.
The Raiders now meet Army in an elimination game on Friday at 1:30 p.m.
Colgate collected two hits – both from
Morgan Farrah – and Lehigh's defense made some pretty plays to support Gabriella Nori's complete game shutout.
The Mountain Hawks plated their first run in the bottom of the second before adding four more in the home half of the third. Three straight singles from Karsen O'Rourke, Amanda Greaney and Josie Charles chased
Bailey Misken after 2 1/3 innings, and Lehigh was out to an early 5-0 advantage.
Colgate's best chance to get back in the game came in the top of the sixth when
Virginia Irby was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before Farrah scorched a laser beam that one-hopped the fence.
Two pitches earlier, Farrah yanked a towering shot that hooked just foul. Her double was the next best thing and put runners on second and third with nobody out, but Colgate couldn't cash in with two popouts and a strikeout ending the inning.
That would be Colgate's last threat at the plate and Lehigh scored two runs in the final two innings to pull away for the 7-0 victory.
NOTES
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Morgan Farrah led the Raiders with two hits.
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Bella Crow struck out five over 3 2/3 strong innings of relief.
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Virginia Irby reached base three times with a walk and two hit-by-pitches.
UP NEXT
Colgate puts its season on the line Friday against Army. First pitch from Boston University is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., with ESPN+ carrying the livestream. The Black Knights fell to the top-seeded Terriers 5-4 in the tournament opener. Should the Raiders advance, they would play again right after against the loser of the Boston University-Lehigh matchup.
