Game One Box
Game Two Box

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Mercyhurst softball team got its annual spring trip off to a fine start on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader against Lynn University by the scores of 6-4 and 6-2. With the victories, the Lakers improved to 6-4 on the season. The Fighting Hawks fell to 0-17 on the year.

Samantha Eimers and Jen Bower combined for six of Mercyhurst's 12 hits in the opener, helping the Lakers to the two-run victory. Mercyhurst did most of its damage in the first three innings, as the Lakers jumped out to a 5-0 advantage with a run in the first, three runs in the second, and one more in the third.

Bower had an RBI single in the top of the first inning, giving the Lakers an early 1-0 lead. Bower would strike again in the second with the big blow of the game, a bases clearing triple to center field, extending the Mercyhurst lead to 4-0.

Mercyhurst would take a five-run lead in the third inning on a run scoring single by Julie Harmon.

The Fighting Hawks would make things interesting in the middle innings, cutting the Mercyhurst lead to 5-4 with a run in the bottom half of the third inning and three more in the fifth.

Megan Hopton came out of the bullpen for the Lakers, and slammed the door on Lynn, allowing just three hits over the final three innings.

The Lakers would tack on an unearned run in the top of the seventh inning to add some insurance. Annie Truelove picked up her second win of the season. She allowed four runs on seven hits, while walking two. She did not make it out of the fifth inning after allowing four consecutive batters to safely reach base. Hopton picked up her first save of the season, allowing four baserunners in three innings.

Bower finished game one by going 3-for-4 with four runs batted in. Eimers was also 3-for-4 with a run scored. Lauren Rossi had two hits and scored two runs as well for the Lakers.

The Lakers picked up the sweep in game two thanks largely in part to walks and costly fielding by the Fighting Hawks.

Lynn jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second game against Kristi Janoske with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning.

But Mercyhurst would counter with five unearned runs in the top of the fourth to take a 5-2 lead. Mercyhurst would have just two hits, by Rossi and Bower, in the inning. But four walks and two errors in the inning providing some assistance for the Laker offense.

The Lakers would tack on another run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI double by Courtney Smith.

Mercyhurst had only five hits in the game but was aided by eight walks, four wild pitches, and a hit batter to earn the sweep. Meanwhile, Janoske walked five and allowed three hits in three innings, before she was relieved by Megan Smith. Smith earned the victory, improving to 2-1 on the season, by allowing four hits in four scoreless innings.

The Lakers will be off now until Tuesday, February 28 when they play a doubleheader against Barry University. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.