ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College Lakers split their twinbill with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference foe, California (Pa.) University. The Vulcans scored 10 runs in the first game to beat the Lakers in five innings but the Lakers returned the favor in the second game scoring nine runs in a routing of the PSAC West leader.

California (Pa.) had the bats working early as they exploded in the first game, scoring 10 runs off of nine hits. The Vulcans registered a seven-run third inning to boost them to the victory. Hope Spancake of California (Pa.) struck out five in five innings of work.

Freshman Megan Smith of Mercyhurst relieved starter Amanda Norman providing the Lakers with two scoreless innings while giving up just one hit. Norman suffered the loss and now holds a 9-5 record on the season.

Senior Amber Rapose and Junior Emily Redig highlighted the Lakers performance in game two. Rapose registered a perfect 2-2 showing at the plate contributing one run while driving in two. Redig went 2-3 collecting both of her hits in the same inning. Redig led off the fourth inning with a single that led to her scoring. Eight batters later she blasted a three-run homer her fourth of the season. The junior drove in three, crossing the dish twice herself.

Junior Samantha Eimers, freshman Courtney Smith, sophomore Julie Harmon and junior Andrea Sauers all recorded a hit in the 9-1 romping of the Vulcans. 

Megan Hopton pitched an impressive five innings, holding the Vulcans high powered offense to five hits and one run. Hopton registered four strikeouts on the day and relied on solid defensive play by the Lakers, who putout 11 batters.   With the solid performance Hopton now holds a 7-4 record with a team leading 3.10 ERA.

The Lakers will return to action tomorrow, April 9 at Mercyhurst Field to take on Gannon University in a PSAC West conference battle. The first pitch is set to be thrown at 1 p.m.