Game One - Box Score
Game Two - Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - Senior Shane Latshaw hit a walk-off grand slam home run in the bottom of the seventh inning of game one and then added a two-run homer in game two, leading the Mercyhurst University baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of Clarion on Friday afternoon. Mercyhurst took game one by an 11-7 final and completed the sweep with a 4-1 victory in game two, lifting its record to 31-11 overall and 12-6 in PSAC West play. The Golden Eagles dropped to 11-27 overall and 8-14 in the conference.

Latshaw finished the day 3-for-7 with two home runs and seven RBIs. He had some help, however, as freshman Ryan Siegel and sophomore Colin Loughner combined to go 10-for-14 in the two games, with Siegel going 6-for-7 at the dish, including a 4-for-4 performance in game one.

Mercyhurst trailed 6-1 in game one heading to the bottom of the fourth, but tied the game with a five-run inning. The teams exchanged single runs over the next two innings, leading up to Latshaw's fireworks in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman Dan Altavilla pitched around two Clarion hits in the top of the seventh, setting the stage. Loughner singled up the middle and then was bunted over to second by Fitzpatrick. Janeczko and McMillen followed with walks, loading the bases for Latshaw, who launched an opposite field home run to give the Lakers the come-from-behind victory. It was Latshaw's eighth home run of the season.

Clarion jumped on Mercyhurst's game one starter Eric Aschley for four runs on five hits over the first two innings. Ken Morgan hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning, followed by an RBI single by Matt Rossi, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Mercyhurst would get a run in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single by senior Ethan Santora, driving home Siegel.

The Golden Eagles plated two more runs in the second on a bases loaded walk to Jon Kemmer and a sacrifice fly by Morgan and then would add two more in the fourth on a two-run home run by Kemmer over the right field fence.

But, the Lakers stormed back. Back-to-back singles by sophomore Anthony Tomasone and Loughner started the five-run fourth inning. After a fly out by junior Andrew Fitzpatrick advanced Tomasone to third, freshman Jake Janeczko hit a routine grounder to the second baseman that was booted, allowing Tomasone to score. Freshman Kolin McMillen then hit a chopper to second that took a high hop over the second baseman's head and into right field for an RBI single. After Latshaw walked, Siegel singled up the middle driving home Janeczko. Santora followed with a sacrifice fly, putting the Lakers within a run. Clarion starter Mike Dunn then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Latshaw to score, tying the game at 6-6.

Clarion got a run back in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Josh Beimel. Mercyhurst responded with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single by Matt Adamczyk.

Altavilla got the victory in relief of Aschley, allowing two hits while striking out two in an inning and two-thirds. He improved to 4-0 on the season. Aschley battled all afternoon, allowing seven runs on nine hits in five-and-a-third innings. He walked four and struck out six.

Dunn went six for Clarion, allowing 11 Mercyhurst hits and seven runs (four earned). He walked two and struck out five. Sam Skraba suffered the loss, allowing the hit to Loughner and the walk to Janeczko in the seventh. Jerico Weitzel came in and walked McMillen before serving up the grand slam to Latshaw.

Game two did not provide the offense that game one produced, but still went down to the wire. Junior Ben Rawding went the distance in game two, leading the Lakers to a 4-1 victory. He allowed five hits and one unearned run to improve to 8-0 on the season. The lefthander walked two and struck out eight. Clarion threatened in each of the final two innings and had the tying run at the plate in the sixth, but Rawding made excellent pitches down the stretch when he had to, securing the victory.

Latshaw got things going in the bottom of the third. After Fitzpatrick doubled to start the inning, Latshaw launched a two-out, two-run home run over the right field fence, giving Mercyhurst a 2-0 lead. It was his second homer of the day and ninth on the season.

Mercyhurst tacked on its other two runs in the fourth, all with two outs. Fitzpatrick singled up the middle and then stole second. Janeczko then hit a routine chopper to third and it appeared that the inning would come to a close. But, the throw got past the Clarion first baseman, allowing Fitzpatrick to score. McMillen then singled, followed by Latshaw, who singled through the left side of the infield, driving home the Lakers' fourth run of the game.

That was all Rawding would need. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning until Matt Rossi lined a solid single to center to lead off the fifth. Clarion got its run in the sixth when Jerico Weitzel scored on a passed ball.

Brett Whitman started for Clarion and allowed ten Mercyhurst hits in five innings. He dropped to 1-3 on the season.

All told, Mercyhurst had 13 hits in game one and 11 more in game two.

The Lakers will travel to Clarion on Saturday, April 21 for a doubleheader against the Golden Eagles. Game one is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.