Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BETHLEHEM, Pa.- For the first time in program history, the Immaculata baseball team (21-19) played a Division I program as they travelled to Lehigh University on Saturday afternoon to wrap up their regular season with a non-conference doubleheader, and in both games the score was tight most of the way before the Mountain Hawks broke out late for 8-2 and 11-2 victories.
 
In the opener, the Mighty Macs were undone by defensive mistakes as they made five errors which led to seven of the eight runs being unearned by the Mountain Hawks.  Lehigh broke open a one run game with five unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth.
 
The Macs churned out seven hits, led by two from junior catcher Dom Ficca.  On the mound, freshman Brandon Shapiro got the start and went two innings while allowing the only earned run of the day.  Sophomore Tyler Sassaman and freshman Billy Manzo each tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen for IU.
 
The Macs were the first to strike in the game in the top of the second as senior shortstop Ryan Ficca (1-for-4, R, SB) reached on an infield single and moved to second on a single by Dom Ficca.  The two then executed a double steal and the throw from the catcher went into left field allowing Ryan Ficca to plate the game's first run.
 
Lehigh quickly tied the game in the bottom of the second on a two-out RBI single off Shapiro.  He went two innings allowing two hits, one run, and two walks.
 
Sassaman worked a scoreless third inning, and sophomore Collin Stringham tossed a 1-2-3 fourth inning to keep the game tied at 1-1. 
 
With both offenses being quieted, Lehigh took advantage of a catcher's interference in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead.  Stringham threw two no-hit innings while striking out one and allowing the one unearned run.
 
Lehigh put the game away in the sixth with five unearned runs on five hits against sophomore Ryan Joyce.  The Macs also added two errors in the inning as the Mountain Hawks took a 7-1 lead.
 
Immaculata broke a string of 18 hitless plate appearances in the seventh as senior pinch hitter Rob Wallace laced a single to center field, and senior Chuck Wyckoff took advantage with an RBI single up the middle to trim the deficit to 7-2.
 
Sophomore pitcher Eddie Decker allowed an unearned run in the eighth to get to the 8-2 final in the opener.
 
In the second game, it was locked at 1-1 until the sixth when Lehigh blew the game open with eight runs in their half of the frame.
 
The Macs got things going again as junior leftfielder Jason McCormick (1-for-3, R, SB, HBP) singled to left field and moved to second on a bunt single by senior first baseman Mike Lascomb (1-for-4, RBI).  A walk loaded the bases, but a line drive double play left McCormick alone at third with two outs.  A wild pitch brought him in for a 1-0 IU lead.
 
On the mound, senior Dan Whalen and sophomore Trevor O'Brien each tossed two scoreless frames to maintain the one run lead for IU through four.
 
Lehigh got on the board in the fifth to tie the game against junior Ryan Blough, and they got to him for more in the sixth as they scored six runs before junior Kenny Anderson came in to get out of the inning after allowing two more runs and Lehigh led 9-1.
 
The Macs added another in the eighth on an RBI groundout by Lascomb, and Lehigh responded with two in the eighth against senior Nick Campione.
 
The Macs have now concluded regular season play and will shift their attention to the Colonial States Athletic Conference postseason.  They will enter as either the second or the third seed in the double elimination tournament, and are guaranteed to play Neumann in their opening game on Thursday.  They will host the Knights if Neumann loses to Keystone on Sunday, and they will be on the road if Neumann tops Keystone.