The Brown & White

After a 5-4 loss to rival Lafayette College in the Liberty Bell Classics final on Tuesday, the baseball team will welcome the Leopards to Goodman Campus this weekend as the teams square off in two consecutive doubleheaders starting Saturday at 12 p.m.

The Mountain Hawks lost to the Leopards 5-4 on Tuesday at the Liberty Bell Classics final at Citizens Bank Park.

The Hawks dropped to 14-19 on the season and 1-7 in the Patriot League after losing three of their four games to Navy last weekend. This series of losses pushed the Hawks down into last place in the league.

Head Coach Sean Leary said despite the recent setbacks, the team is still in contention to reach its goal of making it to the postseason. The series against the Leopards this weekend will be extremely important in Lehigh's quest to make the Patriot League playoffs.

"The team has only one goal each regular season and that is to qualify for the Patriot League playoffs," he said. "At this time, we still control our fate and so we need to focus on winning this weekend's series so that we can qualify for the playoffs."

Junior third baseman Matt Reitz said the Hawks can't panic, but they will need to play on top of their game this weekend, and playing rival Lafayette helps give the team some extra motivation.

"We need to have a sense of urgency while at the same time play relaxed and confidently," Reitz said. "We will have no problem getting up for the games this weekend because Lafayette is such a big rival."

The Hawks will look to their offense to give them the boost they need in Saturday's doubleheader.

Senior center fielder Joe Ercolano and freshman infielder Brendan McGaheran have led aspects of the squad's offense.

Ercolano leads the team in total points with 25 and in stolen bases with 14.

McGaheran is second on the team in runs with 23 and leads the team in hits with 38. He also has the team's highest batting average, a .325.

Leary said the squad's strong week in practice gives him confidence the Hawks' offense will provide some top-notch play.

"Our offense has been working hard to improve on our run production," Leary said. "Their goal is to put together a quality at bat each time they step to the plate. I am confident that the offense will provide our team with a lift this weekend."

Reitz said it is crucial the offense makes the right plays at the right time in order for Lehigh to come out on top.

"Like any other week we will prepare relatively the same, by working hard and focusing on improving our weaknesses," he said. "Having quality at-bats and getting timely hits will be important this weekend. We will need to make all the routine plays."

In addition to a strong offensive performance, Lehigh will need to execute in all aspects of the game if they plan on defeating Lafayette, Reitz said.

Leading the defense onto the field in game one will be senior pitcher Joe Matteo. Matteo has a .500 record of 3-3 on the mound.

In his last time out on the field, Matteo held Navy scoreless for the first four innings before surrendering a five-run fifth inning.

In the second game freshman pitcher Kevin Mihalik will be getting the start for the Hawks.

Mihalik is coming off a 2-4 loss to Navy which he plans to rebound from. With a record of 1-2 and an ERA of 2.97 Mihalik will hope to set the tone for the squad in the second game.

Lafayette is coming off a two game winning streak against Patriot League competitor, the Bucknell University Bison. These two wins have moved Lafayette to fourth place in the Patriot League with a record of 4-4.

Following the series against rival Lafayette, Lehigh will play two more crucial series with Patriot League rivals, with a four game series at Army followed by another four game series at Bucknell.

Saturday's first pitch is set for 12 p.m. at Goodman Campus, with the second game scheduled to start at 3 p.m. On Sunday, the teams will play another doubleheader beginning again at noon with the second game starting at 3 p.m.