CAPE SAINT CLAIRE, Md. (Interstat) — In a Patriot League series finale defined by a massive early lead and a pivotal mid-game shutdown, the Lehigh Mountain Hawks salvaged a victory against the Navy Midshipmen, winning 11-6 on Sunday afternoon and evening at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium.

The game’s most critical sequence came not during Lehigh’s offensive outbursts, but in the top of the third inning when Navy, trailing 11-0, mounted a furious five-run rally that threatened to undo the Mountain Hawks completely. After Navy’s Victor Izquierdo drove in two runs with a double, Patrick Walsh launched a three-run homer to right center, bringing the Midshipmen within six and chasing Lehigh’s starter.

Lehigh manager John Smith summoned reliever Max Treonze from the bullpen with two outs in the inning. Treonze, named the top star for Lehigh, entered and promptly struck out Navy’s Connor Klug to end the threat. He then delivered 4 1/3 innings of hitless, scoreless relief, striking out six and walking one to completely stifle Navy’s momentum. His performance provided the stability Lehigh desperately needed after Navy had sent 11 batters to the plate and collected four hits in the inning.

The Mountain Hawks (6-21, 1-2 Patriot) had built their commanding lead early, scoring all 11 runs unanswered across the first four innings. They capitalized on timely hitting and Navy miscues. Aidan Quinn and Ryan Davis each delivered two-run doubles, while Davis finished with two RBIs. Lehigh totaled 10 hits, with Trystan Crawford collecting two doubles.

Navy (18-12, 2-1) also recorded 10 hits but stranded opportunities and ran into three outs on the basepaths. Izquierdo led the Midshipmen, going 2 for 3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Walsh’s three-run homer represented the biggest swing of the day for the home team.

After Treonze bridged the game to the late innings, Lehigh added three unearned runs in the eighth, aided by a Navy fielding error and a throwing error, to extend its lead to 11-6. Brandon Coughlin closed the game with two perfect innings of relief, securing the win.

The victory broke a five-game losing streak for Lehigh and prevented a series sweep after Navy won both games of a doubleheader on Saturday by scores of 8-0 and 8-3. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which gave Navy a 63.1% probability to win and simulated a 3-2 Midshipmen victory.

Lehigh next hosts a four-game Patriot League series against Army beginning Friday. Navy will host Maryland in a midweek contest on Thursday before a league series against Lafayette starts Friday.