Ashland, Ohio – The Mercyhurst wrestling team, ranked No. 10 in the nation, defeated No. 17 Ashland 20-14 Saturday at Kates Gymnasium. The Eagles were competing in their second meet against a ranked opponent in as many days, having lost to Pitt-Johnstown Friday.

Mercyhurst (12-5-1) defeated Ashland for the fifth time in a row, taking the series lead at 5-4. The Lakers took a 17-3 lead after six bouts and held on for the win.

The Lakers took a 4-0 lead early, as 125-pounder Payne Lintmajor decisioned Brandon Davis 10-1. Michael Baxter, No. 5 nationally at 133 pounds, earned a 7-4 decision over AU's Jacob Bartley, building Mercyhurst's lead to 7-0.

Ashland's Scott Meyer won the 141 pound bout in a 7-1 decision over Lance Pitcel before Mercyhurst took the next three decisions. Lenny Calhoun won a 9-2 decision at 149 pounds over Tommy Graszl, giving the Lakers a 10-3 lead. Andy Lamancusa followed by taking a major decision, 16-6 over Kyle Ulrey. Josh Shields, ranked second nationally at 165 pounds, earned a 7-3 decision over the Eagles' Tony Bradberry, giving the Lakers a 17-3 lead.

Ashland's Justin Ferguson, seventh in the nation, won by decision, 6-4, over Pat Carter, bringing the Eagles' total to six points. Mercyhurst's Tim McAndrew defeated Tom Kerrigan 7-5, and Mercyhurst led 20-6 going into the final two bouts. No. 5 Josh Ohl won by tech fall at 197 pounds, 25-9, over the Lakers' Matt Mix, gaining five points for Ashland. Ashland's Jacob Southwick won a 3-2 decision against Nathan Sharp at 285 pounds, and the Eagles fell up short on the scoreboard, 20-14.

The Lakers' next meet is Thursday, Feb. 5 at Waynesburg. Mercyhurst then hosts a quad meet Saturday, Feb. 7, and they will face Kutztown at 11 a.m. and American International at 1 p.m.

Mercyhurst 20, Ashland 14
125 – Payne Lint (MC) maj. dec. Brandon Davis, 10-1 4-0, MC
133 – Michael Baxter (MC) dec. Jacob Bartley, 7-4 7-0, MC
141 – Scott Meyer (AU) dec. Lance Pitcel, 7-1 7-3, MC
149 – Lenny Calhoun (MC) dec. Tommy Graszl, 8-2 10-3, MC
157 – Andy Lamancusa (MC) maj. dec. Kyle Ulrey, 16-6 14-3, MC
165 – Josh Shields (MC) dec. Tony Bradberry, 7-3 17-3, MC
174 – Justin Ferguson (AU) dec. Pat Carter, 6-4 17-6, MC
184 – Tim McAndrew (MC) dec. Tom Kerrigan, 7-5 20-6, MC
197 – Josh Ohl (AU) tech. fall Matt Mix, 25-9 20-11, MC
285 – Jacob Southwick (AU) dec. Nathan Sharp, 3-2 20-14, MC