Game 1: Mercyhurst 10, Clarion 2
Game 2: Mercyhurst 8, Clarion 5
CLARION, Pa. -- Mercyhurst took a pair of games on the road at Clarion, winning 10-2 in Game 1 before posting an 8-5 victory in the nightcap, as the Lakers clinched one of four PSAC playoff berths with the victories.
With six games remaining in the Lakers' PSAC Western Divsion schedule, Mercyhurst improved to 26-13 overall, 13-5 PSAC West. The Lakers are now in a tie for first-place with California, a team that owns a 28-11 overall mark. The two teams will play a four-game series next weekend to close out the regular-season with tournament seeding on the line.
In Game 1 against Clarion, the Lakers's offense recorded 10 hits, including homeruns by Jamie Walczak, Jeff Stoll and Trey Bennett. Walczak finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI while Stoll went 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Bennett wrapped up the opener with a 2-for-3 performance.
On the mound, Mercyhurst ace Steve Grife moved to 5-1 on the year as he went six innings, giving up eight one earned run on eight hits while striking out for batters. The junior continues to chase Mercyhurst records, moving into a tie for fourth-place all-time in wins at 15-9 for his career while moving into sixth all-time for innings pitches (161.0). His 173 strikeouts remain third all-time but is nearing the second-place mark of 203, set by Steve Hall (1987-89, 91).
In Game 2, Bennett went yard again as he drove in Stoll in the top of the seventh to extend the Lakers lead to 8-2 before the Golden Eagles added three runs in their final at-bat.
Bennett closed out the day with a 4-for-6 effort and knocked in four runs while scoring two. Other fine offensive efforts in Game 2 include Jonathan Keppler's 3-for-4 performance, with two RBI and a run scored, and Jonathan Dziomba, who rounded out the multiple hit Lakers with a 2-for-4 effort.
Starter Nick Gillung went six innings as he improved to 6-0 on the year to become the 16th Mercyhurst hurler to earn six victories in a single-season. He allowed two earned runs on five hits and walked two while striking out three Golden Eagles.
Mercyhurst concludes its series with Clarion on Saturday when the Golden Eagles travel to Mercyhurst Field for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. The Lakers will honor six seniors in a pre-game ceremony.
