ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University softball team dropped both games of its doubleheader today March 30 against Gannon University.  The Lakers were overcome 7-1 in the first game and fell 8-6 in the second game despite a late seventh inning rally.
 
The losses end the Lakers four-game win streak and drop them to 17-14 overall this season and 2-2 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West.  The Golden Knights improve to 17-8 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC West. 
 
Gannon's Megan Dragon pitched a complete seven inning game against the Lakers in game one.  Mercyhurst was held to four hits and one run.  The Golden Knights took the early lead scoring one run in the bottom of the second before adding two more in the third inning.  The Lakers sent their only run of  the game across the dish after junior Molly McNamara laid down a bunt single.  She stole second putting herself in scoring position.  A few batters later senior Jen Bower turned on a pitch sending it down the left field line for the RBI single. 
 
Gannon broke the game open in the fifth inning scoring four runs on six hits, increasing the Lakers deficit to six runs.  Dragon proved to be too much setting the Lakers down in order in both the sixth and seventh inning for her eighth win of the season. 
 
Dragon struck out 12 and walked two batters in her seven innings of work.  Freshman Annie Truelove took the loss in four and a third innings of work.  Truelove gave up 11 hits and seven runs in the loss.  Junior Megan Hopton came in for relief of Truelove pitching one and two thirds innings.
 
Mercyhurst went down six runs quick in the second game at Gannon University Field.  The Golden Knights plated five runs in the second inning and added one in the third.
 
Mercyhurst began a comeback in the fourth inning as they sent one run across the plate.  Back-to-back hits by freshman Shaina Bunker and senior Jen Bower placed runners on second and third.  Sophomore Megan Smith grounded out to the pitcher allowing the run from third to score.
 
The Lakers tacked two more runs on the board in the fifth inning when senior Sydney Cuscino doubled to center field scoring senior Andrea Sauers from third and senior Samantha Eimers from second.  The two-run double by Cuscino cut the Golden Knights lead in half heading into the last two innings of regulation.
 
Gannon added two more runs to its total in the sixth inning with a leadoff homer and a RBI double.  The two runs proved to be crucial in the win for the Golden Knights. 
 
Mercyhurst cued its own rally in the seventh inning.  Sauers led the inning off with a doubled and was followed by a single by Eimers.  McNamara reached first with a bunt single advancing the runners.  Senior Emily Redig hit into a fielder's choice scoring the first run of the inning for the Lakers.   Bunker took the box next and roped a single scoring Eimers and sending Redig to third.  Bower then scored Redig using a sacrifice that was hit to deep right field.  Unfortunately the Lakers comeback bid fell short as they suffer their 14 loss of the season, 8-6.
 
Mercyhurst takes on California (Pa.) University tomorrow in California, Pa as they continue PSAC West play.  The twinbill is slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch.  Fans, live stats are available for the double feature, click here.