Navy Looks to Continue Hot Start in Patriot League Series Finale at Lehigh

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (Interstat) — The Navy Midshipmen will aim to secure a series victory when they face the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in the finale of a three-game Patriot League set Sunday afternoon at Legacy Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. under clear skies with a temperature near 46 degrees.

Navy (13-5, 1-1 Patriot League) and Lehigh (3-11, 1-1) split the first two games of the series. The Mountain Hawks took Friday’s opener 3-1 before the Midshipmen responded with a 3-0 shutout victory Saturday behind a dominant pitching performance.

The series has been defined by pitching, a trend that could continue Sunday. Navy’s Matt Archibald is coming off a historic outing in Saturday’s win, throwing eight no-hit innings with nine strikeouts. Over his last three starts, the right-hander has 31 strikeouts in 20 innings.

Lehigh will counter with right-hander Max Treonze, who started Friday’s game. Treonze took the loss despite a solid effort, allowing one earned run on three hits over five innings. Controlling the Navy lineup, which averages over seven runs per game, will be his primary challenge.

The Midshipmen enter with significant momentum, having won 10 of their last 12 games. Lehigh has struggled overall this season, with its only wins coming against George Washington, George Mason and Navy in the series opener.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Navy is projected to win 7-3.

Following Sunday’s game, Navy will host Maine on Wednesday. Lehigh travels to Penn on Wednesday.