Mercyhust 3, Glenville State 2
Mercyhurst 6, West Virginia State 4

GLENVILLE, W. Va. – The Mercyhurst softball team swept its first two games at the Glenville State Tournament Friday, March 12, defeating host institution Glenville State, 3-2 and downing West Virginia State by a 6-4 score.

The Lakers, winners of four straight games, now hold a 7-8 record on the season. Glenville State went 1-1 on the day, and is now 11-12 in 2010. West Virginia State, the WVIAC's leading team in the early going, holds an 8-6 record.

Mercyhurst's Kristi Janoske pitched a complete game against Glenville State, allowing two runs on just three hits. She registered a career-best 11 strikeouts.

Freshman Julie Harmon went 2-for-2 against the Pioneers, while Jen Bower and Anna Glomb each batted 2-for-3.

Bower hit her third homer of the season, a two-run shot in the first inning for a 2-0 Mercyhurst lead. Harmon drove in Amber Rapose during the bottom of the sixth inning for the Lakers' third run. Janoske held GSC to one hit over the first six innings. The Pioneers rallied with two runs on a home run in the seventh, falling short, 3-2.

As was the case against Glenville State, the Lakers registered eight hits against West Virginia State. The Lakers took a 5-0 lead with a five-run third inning, as Michelle Schmitz drove in two runs with a double and Rapose hit a three-run homer. Mercyhurst built its advantage to 6-0 in the fourth inning after an RBI single from Amanda Walker. W. Va. answered with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the 6-4 score held through the remainder of the contest.

Against W. Va. State, Elizabeth Maier reached base twice, tying a career high with three stolen bases and scoring two runs.

Amanda Norman posted her third win of the season, giving up four runs on five hits in four and two thirds innnings. Janoske pitched the final two and one thirds innings for the save.

The Lakers' four-game winning streak is the team's longest since sweeping double-headers against Clarion, Lake Erie College and Gannon over a four day stretch in the final week of the 2009 season.

Mercyhurst will compete against Glenville State and West Virginia State Saturday, March 13, with the first game beginning at 1 p.m. East Stroudsburg will play each W. Va. program as well.