Complete Box Score

LANTANA, Fla. - Senior Ethan Santora, who entered the night with just six hits and four RBIs in his first eight games, went 4-for-5 with a home run and four runs batted in, leading the Mercyhurst baseball team to a 10-6 victory over Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday night. The Lakers, who have won four straight, improved to 7-2 on the season. The Sailfish dropped to 6-3 on the year.

Mercyhurst's all-time leader in career home runs, Santora blasted his second homer of the season, and 30th of his career, with one out in the top of the fifth inning, snapping a 1-1 tie. He added a two-run double in the sixth inning and a sacrifice fly in the ninth to complete his four-RBI night.

Both teams would score a run in their first at bats. Mercyhurst got an RBI single from Ryan Siegel while the Sailfish countered with a one-out solo shot by Nick Natale over the left centerfield fence off of Mercyhurst starter Brad Duffy.

Santora gave the Lakers a 2-1 lead with his solo home run in the top of the fifth inning. Mercyhurst would tack on another run in the fifth on an RBI single by Colin Loughner.

The Sailfish would get one back in the bottom of the frame with a solo home run by Matt Perkowski.

Mercyhurst would erupt for four runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning to take a 7-2 lead. Santora had the big blow with a two-run double. Zak Blair and Andrew Fitzpatrick added RBI singles in the four-run inning.

But, the Sailfish would not go quietly, scoring twice in the bottom of the inning to cut the Mercyhurst lead to 7-4. Matt Wisniewski had a two-run single, ending the night for Duffy. Zach Leitten came in and put out the fire, retiring the final two batters of the inning.

Mercyhurst would get a single run in the eighth inning to take an 8-4 lead. Mercyhurst executed a double steal with Siegel and Blair at first and third base respectively. Siegel would swipe second and the throw by catcher Travis Murray bounded away, allowing Blair to scamper in from third base.

The Lakers would get two more runs in the ninth inning, getting a bases loaded walk to Blair and a sacrifice fly by Santora. The Sailfish would get two in the ninth inning off of Leitten, but he would strike out the final batter of the game for the long inning save.

Mercyhurst's two-through-five hitters - Shane Latshaw, Blair, Santora, and Siegel - combined for 12 of Mercyhurst's 18 hits. Santora led the attack with four, while Latshaw and Siegel had three hits each.

Duffy went five-and-a-third innings to pick up his first win of the season. He allowed four runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out four. Leitten pitched the final three-and-two-thirds, striking out five for his first save of the season.

Mercyhurst will be in action again on Thursday against Florida Memorial. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.