ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College softball team traveled to Gannon University to take on the Golden Knights in a doubleheader that would result in a split. Gannon beat the Lakers in the first game, 8-5 but the Lakers bounced back in game two holding the Golden Knights scoreless in five innings, 8-0.
Gannon struck first scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. They would score again in the third and the fourth before Mercyhurst answered with back-to-back doubles in the top of the fifth frame to score its first run of the series. Senior Kara Gorgos scored off of a double that was belted into left field off the bat of junior Emily Redig for her eighth RBI of the year. Redig would later score in the inning after a sacrifice fly to left field by Courtney Smith.
The Lakers down 5-2 would give up three more runs making the score 8-2 going into the top of the seventh inning. Down by six the squad started a late game that was started with a double by Gorgos. Junior Samantha Eimers drove in Gorgos marking her 33 RBI of the season. With Eimers in scoring position the Lakers looked to freshman Courtney Smith to drive her in. She did just that hitting her second homerun of the season while driving in her 16th and 17th RBI respectively. The Golden Knights prevailed, 8-5 after the late inning attempt by the Lakers.
The 'Hurst saw its first run cross the plate in the second game after a sac fly by Gorgos. With two runners on the pond Redig stepped into the box and delivered her first homerun of the season giving the Lakers an early 4-0 lead.
Two innings later the Lakers would score four more runs totaling eight for the game. Senior Amber Rapose started the inning off after a laser up the middle that granted her first base. Gorgos ripped a ball to the hot corner and reached second base after a Golden Knight error. Junior Andrea Sauers drew a walk loading the base and setting the stage for Eimers. The junior turned on a pitch sending it over the left field fence for her first grand slam of the season.
The Lakers would go on to beat the Golden Knights 8-0 after a great performance inside the pitching circle by sophomore Megan Hopton. In five innings of work she only gave up two hits holding the Golden Knights scoreless. Hopton now holds a 5-2 record on the year after today's performance.
The Lakers now hold a 15-9 record with a 1-1 conference showing.
The Lakers now turn to the Vulcans of California (Pa.). The two teams are set to clash on Saturday, March 25 at 2:30 p.m. in California (Pa.). The Vulcans are 15-7 on the year and will open conference play against Mercyhurst. The Lakers look to avenge a 0-4 mark against the Vulcans just one season ago.
