Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst softball team swept a critical PSAC West doubleheader from cross town rival Gannon Thursday, April 16 at Mercyhurst Softball Field. The Lakers received a game-ending run on a two-base error in game one and utilized a four-run rally in the fifth inning of game two to build their winning streak to a season-high six games. 

With the victory, Mercyhurst improves to 19-20 on the season, including a 5-7 record in the PSAC West. Gannon is now 20-17 and tied with Mercyhurst in the divisional standings. 

Mercyhurst sophomore pitcher Amanda Norman commanded the game from the beginning, throwing five and one-thirds innings of hitless softball before Holli Michaels reached first base on a bunt. Norman then retired the remaining five Golden Knight batters. While Gannon was struggling at the plate, the Lakers were generating scoring opportunities, as a Mercyhurst runner reached third base in three out of the first six innings. Mercyhurst was unable to capitalize on its chances, and the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning. 

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Anna Glomb singled through the left side of the infield. Jen Bower followed with a base hit to advance pinch-runner Shannon Kissel to second. After a strikeout, Amber Cervantez pinch-hit for Elizabeth Maier. Cervantez scorched a pitch into deep center field that tipped off of the fielder's glove, landing at the base of the fence. Kissel scored on the play, and the Lakers celebrated a walk-off, one-hit shutout victory. 

Norman hurled a complete-game, one-hit shutout, her second outing of the season allowing no runs. The Lakers scored one run on seven hits, as Bower and Emily Redig each recorded two hits. Kissel scored the only run of the game. 

The second game saw the Golden Knights take an early 3-0 lead on three hits in the top of the second inning. Mercyhurst responded in the bottom of the second, as Emily Redig opened the inning with a double. Erica Beidler then singled Redig in. After two straight groundouts, Bower knocked in Beidler with a single, slicing the deficit to one run at 3-2. A groundout defused the rally. Kristi Janoske baffled Gannon's hitters from the third inning on, allowing no runs on just two base hits in her final five innings pitched.

While pitching and defense kept the Lakers in striking distance, the Golden Knight saw their lead disappear in the fifth inning with an interesting sequence of events. Pitched Lauren Soldner retired the first batter, but the next five batters all reached base, with four runs being recorded. Maier reached on a walk. Megan Houstonsingled, and Michelle Schmitz drove Maier in. Redig reached on an error, and then Houston scored on a wild pitch. Schmitz crossed the plate on a misplay by the catcher, and Redig was allowed to reach home on a second wild pitch. Soldner recorded a strikeout and a walk, which loaded the bases. Katie Killian ended the inning by getting Danielle Zubek to line out, but not before the Lakers led 6-3, the eventual final score. 

Janoske registered her 10th win on the season, marking the second year in a row for a Mercyhurst freshman pitcher to record 10 wins. Amanda Norman won 10 games as a freshman in 2008. Janoske gave up three runs on six hit in seven innings of work. The Lakers had seven hits in game two, one each from seven different players. Redig recorded a double and scored two runs. Beidler batted in two runs, while Schmitz broke the single-season RBI record with her 42nd of the year. 

The last time Mercyhurst shut out Gannon before Thursday was April 7, 2005, when the Lakers won 2-0, as Jen Feret hurled a four-hit shutout. 

Mercyhurst continues its quest for the postseason with a double-header at Edinboro Friday, April 17 at 2:30 p.m.