Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University softball team split today's twinbill against Gannon University.  The Lakers edged the Golden Knights 10-8 in game before dropping the night cap, 10-2.  Senior Jen Bower went 3-4 scoring three times while driving in three runs in the 10-8 game one win.

The split gives the Lakers a 24-21 overall record and a 7-7 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West showing.  Gannon moves to 26-13 overall and 7-5 in PSAC West play. 

Mercyhurst jumped out in front during game one scoring three runs with two outs.  Junior Molly McNamara started the rally with a bunt single.  Freshman Shania Bunker then tripled off the fence in right center field scoring the speedy McNamara easily from second.  Senior Jen Bower took center stage next and blasted a two-run homer to center field. 

The Golden Knights came back in the top of the next inning scoring two off their own runs.  The Lakers tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth before plating three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings extending their lead to 10-3 heading into the seventh inning.  Sophomore Megan Smith helped the Lakers in the fourth inning when she blasted a homer to right center scoring two runs.  Senior Andrea Sauers did most of the damage in the fifth inning as she doubled to left center scoring both Bunker and Bower.

The Lakers watched their seven run lead dwindle in the top of the seventh as Gannon went on to plate four runs before the Lakers registered the first out of the inning.  The Golden Knights pushed a fifth run across the plate and loaded the bases with just one out.  Senior pitcher, Kristi Janoske came in for relief and would earn her first save of the season retiring the first batters she faced ending the Golden Knight threat. 

Bunker, Bower, and Sauers all registered three hits in game one while McNamara, Smith and junior Amanda Walker all tallied two knocks.  Bower drove in three runs while scoring three times herself and Sauers drove in two while crossing the dish twice in the 10-8 win.

Annie Truelove was credited with her ninth win of the season in five innings of work.  The freshman struck out six while giving up four runs.  Junior Megan Hopton came in for relief pitching one and one-thirds innings.  Hopton gave up four runs on four hits.  Gannon's Megan Dragon took the loss, her 10^th of the season.  She pitched six innings giving up 16 hits and 10 runs.

Mercyhurst was held to just four hits in game two with senior Samantha Eimers accounting for two of the four.  The Golden Knights wasted little time putting runs on the scoreboard, plating four in the top of the first inning.  Gannon added a run in the top of the third but the Lakers came back in the bottom of the frame to push two runs across the dish.

Again the Lakers scored both runs with two outs in the inning.  Bower scored the first run of the inning on an error by the Golden Knight shortstop before Bunker scored on a throwing error by the leftfielder.  That was all the scoring the Laker offense would generate as Gannon went on to score five runs in the top of the fifth putting them up, 10-2. 

Jess Rectenwald of Gannon earned her fourth win of the season, pitching five innings giving up just one earned run in the process.  Janoske is credited with the loss, her sixth of the season. 

Mercyhurst is back in action on Monday, April 16 when they take on regional foe Wheeling Jesuit University at home.  First pitch is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.  Fans that are unable to attend can access live stats by clicking here.