Mercyhurst 5, Gannon 4 (9 innings)
Gannon 5, Mercyhurst 3 (5 innings)

ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst baseball team posted a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Gannon in nine innings Friday, March 12 at Mercyhurst Baseball Field, capturing the division opener. Adam Gray scored the game-winning run in game one, while the second contest was halted prior to the sixth inning, and later ruled a regulation game by conference officials that will stand as a 5-3 loss for the Lakers. 

The two teams will meet Sunday, March 14 at 1 p.m. to complete the weekend series with the second double-header, also to be contested at Mercyhurst.

Gray and Ethan Santora each registered 2-for-3 performances at the plate in the first game. Gray scored three of the Lakers' five runs, while Santora hit a double and scored a run. Trey Bennett drove in two runs with a homer in the fourth inning.

Eric Aschley earned the win in game one, pitching three-and-two-thirds scoreless innings of relief, giving up just two hits improving his record to 2-1. Starting pitcher Nick Gillung held Gannon to one run on six hits, striking out four during five frames. Gannon's Jeff Jones suffered the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in two innings.

With Friday's win, the Lakers improve their record to 6-8, 1-1 in PSAC West. Gannon falls to 5-9, having dropped six games in a row, and the Golden Knight now hold a 1-1 PSAC West mark.

Mercyhurst made the most of its opportunities during the ninth inning, as Gray drew a leadoff walk, then made it to second on a sacrifice bunt. Gray reached third on a fielder's choice, and then scored on a throwing error by the Gannon shortstop, giving the Lakers the 5-4 victory.

Mercyhurst's Gillung and Gannon's David Hucsko held opposing hitters at bay for the first three and a half innings, pitching scoreless baseball. The Lakers broke through for a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when Bennett clouted a two-run home run to left field for a 2-0 Mercyhurst lead.

Each team scored one run during the fifth, and Craig Denman's RBI double gave Mercyhurst a 3-1 edge after five. Gannon bounced back with three runs in the top of the sixth, and held a 4-3 lead heading into the Lakers' half of the seventh frame.

Gray doubled to lead off the seventh inning, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He then scored on an RBI groundout by Adam Schlessel, tying the game at 4-4. The score remained tied through the next two innings, until Mercyhurst won it in the ninth.

The two rivals will play a doubleheader Sunday, March 14 at 1 p.m. at Mercyhurst Baseball Field.