Box Score - Game one
Box Score - Game two

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Mercyhurst University softball team moved to 4-4 on the season with a doubleheader sweep of the Shaw University Bears at the Walnut Creek Complex on Sunday. The Lakers won the opening game 20-5 and took the nightcap 22-5.

In the opener, the Lakers jumped out to an early lead, scoring five runs in the first inning.  The Mercyhurst lineup batted around with senior Emily Redig, sophomore Courtney Smith and senior Jen Bower all contributing RBI doubles.  For the inning, Mercyhurst scored five runs on six hits leaving two runners on base.

The five run first inning was just the beginning of the offensive surge as the Lakers scored six runs in the second, five runs in the third, and closed the game out scoring two runs in the final two innings. 

Redig, Rebecca Malaga, Bower, and Kristen Fyffe all were perfect at the dish in game one.  Redig went 2-2 scoring a run while driving in two RBI's off of two doubles.  Malaga also went 2-2 scoring two runs while driving in one run.  Bower scored three runs and drove in two as she went 2-2 at the plate.  Fyffe contributed in a big way going 3-3 at the dish while driving in five runs and scoring twice.  Two of the five RBI's came after a blast down the left field line resulting in a two-run homer in the second inning.

Freshman Lauren Rossi had a career day scoring four runs after going 3-4 from the plate.  Rossi led off both the second and the third innings with a hit which jump started innings where the Lakers scored six and five runs respectively.  Sophomore Megan Smith roped a triple and a homerun as she went 2-3 from the dish while driving in three and scoring twice.  Junior Julie Harmon also drove three runs in with a 2-5 appearance at the plate.  Sophomore Jenna Pollard went 1-1 for the game smacking a two-run double in the third inning down the left field line.

Freshman Annie Truelove pitched two innings and is credited with the win.  She gave up just two hits while allowing no runs to cross home.  Sophomore Colleen Griffin came in for relief of Truelove to pitch the remaining of the game.  Griffin gave up five runs on six hits after three innings of work.  Keyunna White of Shaw receives the loss after giving up 16 runs on 15 hits.

In the second game, the offensive flow continued for the Lakers.  After soaring to an 8-0 lead just two innings into the action Mercyhurst exploded in the third inning sending 12 Lakers across home.  Eimers, Shaina Bunker, and Sydney Cuscino all drove in four runs for the Lakers while Andrea Sauers, Redig, and Courtney Smith all scored four times. 
Eimers hit two homeruns in game two.  She led off the second inning with a solo shot before hitting a two-run blast in the third inning.  Bunker doubled twice in the rout as she went 2-4 scoring twice while driving in four.  Cuscino went 3-5 from the plate driving in four runs off a single in the first inning and a double in the third. 

Sauers drew four walks in the nightcap leading to four runs scored.  Redig continued her offensive tear going 3-3 from the plate contributing three RBI's and four runs.  Courtney Smith also had a perfect showing at the dish.  Smith went 4-4 with four runs scored.   Pollard drove in two runs for the second consecutive game after a 2-4 display at the plate.

Kristi Janoske picked up her first win of the season.  The senior gave up nine hits and five runs while striking out four batters.  Kemesha  Braithewaite was credited with the loss after giving up 20 runs on 16 hits.

All told for the series, the Lakers had 22 extra base hits, 11 players with multiple RBI's, 13 players who crossed home more than once and as a team the Lakers went 39-66 at the plate registering a .591 average.

The Lakers will resume action on Feb. 25 when they travel to Florida for a four game swing.  Mercyhurst will face Lynn University at 1 p.m. at Boca Raton, Fla.