Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst softball team dropped a PSAC West double-header at rival Gannon Thursday, as the Golden Knights took game one 4-1 before posting a thrilling 5-4 victory in 10 innings to sweep Mercyhurst. 

In game one, the Lakers out-hit Gannon, seven to six, but the Golden Knights registered three extra-base hits including a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning which provided the winning margin. Gannon gained a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, as a single plated one runner. Megan Houston then singled in Kara Gorgos to tie the game at one run apiece after two and a half innings. 

Gannon recorded one hit in the bottom of the third, but stranded the runner. Both teams went hitless during the fourth and fifth innings, and after Mercyhurst had an empty top half of the sixth, the Golden Knights registered three runs on one swing, as Ashley Petrone slugged a homer to give Gannon a 4-1 lead which they would not relinquish. A feverish Mercyhurst rally was ended when Gorgos lined into a double play with the bases loaded, and Gannon claimed game one by a 4-1 score. 

Houston batted 2-for-3 with one RBI, and Amber Rapose laced a triple in the second inning. Amanda Norman allowed four runs on six hits in five and one-thirds innings for the Lakers. 

Gannon took a 2-0 lead in game two, scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning and one in the third. The Golden Knights' pitcher held the Lakers to one hit in the first five innings, but Mercyhurst broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Danielle Zubek led off with a single and was sacrificed to second base. Zubek advanced to third on a bunt base hit by Elizabeth Maier. Houston grounded out, plating Zubek. Maier scored on a double by Michelle Schmitz which tied the score at two runs apiece. Neither team was able to register a run in the seventh inning, requiring extra innings to be contested. 

After two scoreless extra innings, the international tie-break rule took effect in the 10th inning. The Lakers took advantage, as Anna Glomb, the runner who was placed on second at the start of the inning, scored when Maier reached base. Houston then doubled to right, scoring Maier. Mercyhurst took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the tenth. After getting the first Golden Knight batter out, Kristi Janoske surrendered a two-run home run to Petrone which tied the score. Gannon won the game on a sacrifice fly, taking the game 5-4 in 10 innings. 

Mercyhurst scored four runs on seven hits, while Gannon scored five runs on 12 hits. Janoske took the loss, giving up five runs, four earned, in nine and two thirds innings. Her record moves to 7-8 on the season. Maier batted 3-for-5 and scored two of the Lakers' runs. Houston recorded two RBI and Schmitz drove in one run. 

The Lakers' record stands at 13-16, including a 3-5 mark in PSAC West play. The Golden Knights are now 17-4, 2-4 in the PSAC Western Division. The two teams will face each other again in one week, Thursday, April 16 at Mercyhurst. 

Mercyhurst returns to the home diamond for two weekend twinbills, hosting No. 17 Cal (Pa.) Friday, April 10 at 2:30 p.m. and PSAC East foe West Chester Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m.