BALTIMORE – In an exciting doubleheader, the Lehigh softball team split their games against UMBC on Wednesday. In the second game, they dominated with a 14-2 win, powered by a nine-run fourth inning. This victory came after losing the first game 4-3, ending a seven-game winning streak.
Lehigh now sits at 13-7 after 20 games. In the second matchup, four of their runs came from bases-loaded walks or hit-by-pitch, showcasing their patience at the plate. Sophomore Kelly Fricker played a key role, hitting an RBI double in the second inning and adding a sacrifice fly in the third to put Lehigh ahead 5-2.
UMBC managed to score in the third, but Lehigh surged ahead in the fourth. Junior Holly Lovett and sophomore Wrigley Fanter each contributed with RBI singles. The highlight was first-year Megan Lodge’s bases-clearing double that brought in three runs, solidifying the lead.
Although Lehigh had only seven hits in the second game, they drew eight walks and were hit by pitches five times, demonstrating their offensive strategy. Fricker led with two hits, while senior Sydney Parlett scored three runs.
In the first game, Lehigh out-hit UMBC 7-4 but struggled with control, issuing five walks and three hit batters. Junior Peyton Sward gave Lehigh an early advantage with an RBI groundout. However, UMBC responded strongly, scoring four runs in the fourth, including a two-run single from Kenzie Nicholson.
Despite runs from Gracie Smith and Abbey Tabaka later in the game, Lehigh couldn’t catch up. Sophomore Madison Finnerty took the loss after allowing four runs over 3.1 innings.
Lehigh will head to North Carolina for the UNCG Tournament this weekend, where they hope to bounce back.
Recent Trends in Softball Performance
Hitting habits are changing in college softball. According to a recent report from the NCAA, teams are increasingly focusing on enhancing their on-base percentage through walks and hit-by-pitches, much like Lehigh did. This trend reflects a strategic shift towards drawing pitches rather than solely relying on traditional hits.
In 2022, teams scored 7% more runs thanks to improved plate discipline. Experts suggest that this shift leads to more competitive games, drawing more fans and boosting the sport’s popularity.
Looking back, this change mirrors baseball’s evolution in the late 2000s when walks began to be valued over batting averages. The growing analytics in sports continues to influence both strategies and outcomes, making softball an exciting landscape for players and fans alike.
Lehigh’s upcoming matches will certainly be an opportunity to watch these new strategies unfold on the field.
