Mercyhurst 18, Lake Erie 2

ERIE, Pa. -- Bill Gerstenslager, Shane Latshaw and Ethan Santora each belted home runs as part of a 15-hit offensive attack in an 18-2 win over Lake Erie College Wednesday afternoon.

The Lakers improved to 17-6 overall after the single, nine-inning affair while the Storm moved to 7-9 on the year.

Mercyhurst benefitted from three runs in the first inning, followed by three runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings before adding five runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.  The Storm posted a run in the second and a run in the eighth for the game's final score.

Santora led nine different Lakers who registered hits with a 3-for-5 performance, including four runs scored and an RBI.  Gerstenslager went 2-for-3 with three RBI  and a run scored after his 3-run homer to left field.  Rounding out the Lakers with multiple hits was Jonathan Keppler (2-for-4, 2 doubles), Zak Blair (2-for-4) and Kevin McCall (2-for-4).  Craig Denman, Nico Baldelli and Justin Urschel also tallied a hit on the day.

In controlled appearances by the lakers staff, Mercyhurst held Lake Erie to just three hits on the day.
Mercyhurst starter Tyler Bowditch went to 3-0 on the year after throwing two hitless innings before Joe Cochran came on for three innings of relief in which he gave up two hits while striking out three.  Brad Duffy send the side down in order before Thurman Schaetzle, Dan Parker and Jeremy Cressley all threw a complete inning.

For Lake Erie, Matt Toth, Kyle Kemp and Mike Fabri recorded hits on the day while starting pitcher Tyler Minnich took the loss to move to 0-2 on the year.  Minnich went three innings, giving up six runs, three earned, on five hits.  Michael Backes, Doug Fox, Mike Morgan, Patrick Sinko and Ryan Rua all saw action on the mound in relief.

Mercyhurst returns to action next on Friday, April 1 when they host PSAC West rival California (Pa.) in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.