Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two

EDINBORO, Pa. – Freshman Shania Bunker helped the Mercyhurst University softball team sweep Edinboro University by scores of 9-5 and 13-3, today March 23. 

The sweep of the Fighting Scots moves the Lakers to 15-12 overall this season and helps Mercyhurst jump out to a 2-0 in conference record.  The losses drop Edinboro to 10-8 overall this season and 1-3 in the PSAC.

The Lakers offense came alive during the double feature today, registering 30 hits helping them score 22 runs on the way to a 2-0 record in the PSAC.

Senior Jen Bower led off the second inning of game one with a single into left field.  A sacrifice by junior Kristen Fyffe put Bower in scoring position.  Senior Andrea Sauers legged out a single after laying down a bunt which advanced Bower to third.  Senior Samantha Eimers reached base after an error by the shortstop scoring Bower and advancing Sauers to second.

The Fighting Scots scored a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning after a leadoff single followed by a double.
The Lakers battled back to take the lead in the fifth after Eimers went deep to right center for her eighth homer of the season.  The lead was short lived as Edinboro manufactured two runs in the bottom of the inning.  Sophomore Courtney Smith was called upon to pinch hit with bases loaded in the sixth.  Smith was credited with an RBI after being hit by the pitch.  The Fighting Scots worked out of the inning allowing just that run as the Lakers missed out on a golden opportunity to break things open.  Edinboro once again matched the Lakers run taking the lead 3-4 heading into the last inning of play.

Edinboro's Amanda Shields pitched her way to two quick outs in the seventh and was ready to end the game.  Mercyhust had a different idea.  Senior Emily Redig who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning advanced to third after a game changing error by Edinboro's shortstop, Fyffe reached first.  With a first and third situation the Lakers decided to steal.  Fyffe took off for second drawing a throw, Redig headed towards home and was called safe at the plate.  When all was said and done the Lakers tied the game and placed a runner on third base.  Mercyhurst took the lead with a Lauren Rossi single up the middle.  The next batter, Eimers, roped a single up the middle loading the bases.  Junior Amanda Walker singled to right center to keep the two out rally alive, scoring both Sauers and Rossi.  After a pitching change the bats for the Lakers remained out as Bunker singled to right field scoring Eimers and Walker. 

All told, the Lakers scored six runs on five hits leaving just one runner on base in the top half of the seventh inning. 

The Lakers pitched well all game and shut the door on the Fighting Scots in the seventh allowing just one run helping Mercyhurst to its 14^th win of the season.  Freshman Annie Truelove pitched four and one-third innings allowing just five hits and three runs.  Sophomore Megan Smith provided relief pitching two and two-thirds, allowing four hits and two runs for her third win of the season.  Shields of Edinboro received the loss as she is now 6-4 this season.

Mercyhurst provided plenty of offense in game two and would not need late game heroics as they cruised to a 13-3 win.  The two PSAC west foes headed into the fourth inning tied at three a piece before the Lakers sent six runners across the dish taking the lead, 9-3.  Fyffe kick started the rally with a triple to right center field, she scored shortly after as Sauers doubled to left.  Rossi laid down a bunt, registering one of her two hits advancing the runner.   Eimers then ripped a RBI single into right capping off four straight hits for the Lakers to start the inning.  Bunker added an exclamation point before the inning ended with a two-run homer to left center.

With a six run lead the pitching staff gained momentum pitching four scoreless innings to end the game.  Senior Kristi Janoske started the game, giving up three runs.  Junior Megan Hopton came on in relief, pitching four and two-thirds not allowing a run with three punch outs.  Hopton was credited with the win, her second of the season.  Kari Falk took the loss after giving up eight runs in three and a third innings pitched.

Mercyhurst added four insurance runs in the seventh as Bunker went deep for the second time in the game.  The three-run dinger to left center marks the freshman's third of the season.

Mercyhurst now turns his attention to Clarion University.  Mercyhurst will host the Golden Eagles in its home opener tomorrow at 1 p.m.  Live stats can be found by clicking here.