Mercyhurst 10, Florida Memorial 4
Mercyhurst 8, Florida Memorial 1

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Mercyhurst College baseball team opened the 2010 season with a pair of wins in its opening day doubleheader against Florida Memorial, taking the first game by a 10-4 count before posting an 8-1 decision in the nightcap.
 
Three Lakers finished the day going 4-for-7 at the plate, including Ethan Santora.  The sophomore posted a homerun and two doubles while scoring two runs and driving in five others.

Senior Trey Bennett also went 4-for-7, scoring three runs after recording two doubles on the day.

Leadoff Jonathan Keppler continued to be one of the most consistent players to reach base, picking up two triples and scoring on two different occasions after picking up two walks and being hit-by-pitch.

In Game 1, the Lakers' offense wasted little time shaking off the northern chill of winter as eight Mercyhurst hitters combined for 13 hits.  Santora led the charge with a 3-for-4 performance, posting three RBI on a double and homerun.  Also going yard in his only at-bat for the Lakers was Dan Jergel.  Keppler went 3-for-4 while #D.J. Haurin and Justin Urschel# each added 1-for-2 performances with an RBI.

On the mound, Jordan Backes notched the win , giving up three unearned runs on four hits in five innings of work while striking out seven and walking just two batters.

Reigning PSAC West Pitcher of the Year Nick Gillung earned the win in the secondhalf of the twinbill, allowing no runs on just two hits in five innings of work.  The southpaw walked one batter while fanning five.

Leading the Lakers offense was senior Adam Gray, who was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI.  Bennett finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Santora added two RBI on a 1-for-3 effort.  

The Lakers are next in action tomorrow against St. Thomas.