RALEIGH, N.C. – The Mercyhurst College softball team played in its third doubleheader in as many days. Mercyhurst got back in the swing of things to take two games from Shaw University. The Lakers are off to a 4-2 start as they return to Erie.

At the Walnut Creek Complex, the Lakers rallied to an 11-1 win in game one of a two-game set. Five Lakers recorded at least two hits while nine Lakers had hits, and eight different Lakers recorded an RBI. Junior Emily Redig and senior Michelle Schmitz both scored two runs for the Lakers with Schmitz contributing two hits and two RBI. Freshman Courtney Smith also had a two-RBI, two-hit, two-run game as the Lakers designated hitter. Junior Samantha Eimers contributed a three-run performance including her solo homerun.

Senior Kara Gorgos led off the second game by ripping a triple down the right field line.  Next batter Schmitz then knocked Gorgos to give the Lakers an early 1-0 lead. Later in the first inning freshman Smith would double into left field scoring Schmitz from third. In the bottom half of the inning Mercyhurst would only allow four batters before returning back to the dugout.

A leadoff walk would lead to a score off a single bringing Shaw within one run of the Lakers.

The Lakers would come alive in the third inning scoring three runs on three hits. Schmitz's leadoff double would lead to a junior Eimers RBI single. Junior Jen Bower gave the Lakers a 5-1 lead after belting a 2-run shot. During Shaw offensive opportunity in the third the Lakers would allow two runners on the base pads by way of a walk and error. The Lakers defense found away to bend and not break catching a runner stealing than rolling up the double play killing Shaw's threat to score.

Schmitz would lead off the fifth inning just like the third with her standing on second base after doubling to right field. Freshman Jenna Pollard would single in the very next at bat moving Schmitz over to third. The Lakers would go on to score six runs in the top half of the fifth inning off of six hits. Freshman Collen Griffin would shut the Bears down after striking out the second batter she faced then forcing back-to-back grounders that the Laker defense ate up to end the game earl due to the ten run rule.

The Lakers are set to travel to Florida for games dating on Feb.25, Feb.26, and Feb.28. They will start the road trip in Opa Locka, Fla. as they face off against St. Thomas, next they will compete against Northwood in Palm Springs, Fla., and the Lakers will end their trip in Miami, Fla. taking on Barry University.