SALEM, Va. – The Mercyhurst University softball team split in the opening day of the Salem Invitational held in Salem, Virginia.  In today's morning game Mercyhurst went nine innings against Shepherd University, losing 4-3.  Against West Liberty University the Lakers scored seven times to cruise to a 7-3 victory.

Less than one week ago the Lakers took two one-run games from Shepherd at the Rams home field.  In today's game the Rams came out swinging, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Down by three the Lakers posted their first run with two outs in the third inning when senior Samantha Eimers hit a solo home run to left center field. 

Freshman Lauren Rossi led off the sixth inning with a single.  She quickly put herself in scoring position after swiping second base.  The very next batter, Emily Redig roped a double to left center scoring Rossi and bringing the Lakers within one run.  In the top half of the seventh inning Jen Bower was scheduled to lead off the inning.  The senior sent the first pitch she saw over the left field fence tying the game at three runs apiece. 

The defense for the Lakers held the Rams offense in check, registering seven scoreless innings.  Junior Megan Hopton who came in for relief of senior Kristi Janoske threw five shutout innings herself including a seventh inning shutout to send the Lakers into extras against the Rams. 

In extra innings, the offensive team begins the inning with the ninth hitter in the batting order placed on second base.  For the Lakers, that meant Eimers started the eighth inning in scoring position.  With one out in the inning Eimers advanced to third after an error by the Rams second baseman but the next two batters struck ending the extra inning threat.

The defense for the Lakers was able to work itself out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth keeping the scored knotted at three. 

Tiffany Biggs of Shepherd struck out 10 Lakers including four in extra innings.  Biggs shutdown the Lakers in the top of the eighth receiving the win after Jess Mason singled home Savannah Snyder in the ninth inning for the walk-off win.  Hopton was credited with the loss.

In the second game, against the Hilltoppers of West Liberty, six Lakers combined to score seven runs.  Bower crossed the plate twice while registering a walk and a single.  Freshman  Shaina Bunker went a perfect  2-2 including two walks with a run scored.  Eimers, junior Kristen Fyffe, senior Andrea Sauers, and junior Molly McNamara all crossed the dish once in the win.

Freshman Annie Truelove pitched four innings, earning the win.  Janoske threw two and a third innings in relief while Hopton closed the door on the Hilltoppers. 

Today's split gives the Lakers an 11-11 record through their first 22 games. 

The Lakers resume action tomorrow in another double feature.  First Mercyhurst will square off against Wheeling Jesuit at 3 p.m.  In the night cap the Lakers will face WVIAC foe Davis & Elkins at 5 p.m.