Complete Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - Junior Matthew Jimenez allowed three hits over six shutout innings to lead the Mercyhurst University baseball team to a 3-1 victory over Notre Dame College in a non-conference tilt on Tuesday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Baseball Field. The win improved the Lakers' overall record to 22-8 on the season, while the Falcons dropped to 12-15-1 on the year.

Jimenez made his second quality start in a row, improving his record to 3-0 this season. He walked two and struck out nine in his six innings of work on Tuesday. Last week against Glenville State, the righthander allowed just one hit in five innings. Over his last three appearances, Jimenez has allowed four hits in 12 innings while walking four and striking out 14.

The offense gave Jimenez two runs to work with in the bottom half of the first inning against Notre Dame College starter, and Erie native, Tyler DeCrapio. Freshman Ryan Siegel led off the inning with a double to the right centerfield gap and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. After senior Shane Latshaw drew a walk, junior Zak Blair grounded out to first base, plating Siegel with the game's first run. Senior Ethan Santora then laced a single to centerfield, driving home Latshaw for the second run of the inning.

After the first inning, Jimenez and DeCrapio were locked in a pitcher's dual, with the Lakers not scoring again until the fifth inning. Sophomore Colin Loughner doubled with one out in the fifth and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Siegel then lined a single to left field with two outs to drive home Loughner, giving Mercyhurst a 3-0 advantage.

Senior Jeremy Cressley came on in relief of Jimenez and pitched around two, two-out hits, striking out pinch hitter Eric Napoli with runners at first and second to close out the frame.

In the eighth, however, the Falcons would get on the board against Mercyhurst freshman Dan Altavilla. Notre Dame College three consecutive singles from Eric Mathews, Shane DeFranco, and Taylor Neville to lead off the inning, getting the Falcons on the board. But, Altavilla pitched away from further damage, getting a strikeout and two groundouts to put an end to Notre Dame's rally.

Senior Samuel O'Neill picked up his second save of the season with a perfect ninth inning, which included two strikeouts.

Mercyhurst was limited to four hits on the day against three Falcon pitchers. Siegel had a pair of hits, while Loughner and Santora had the others. The Falcons got eight hits off of four Mercyhurst pitchers.

The Lakers will play a pair of doubleheaders this Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 as they return to PSAC action against Lock Haven. Friday's doubleheader will be at home and will begin at 1:00 p.m., while Saturday's twinbill will be at Lock Haven, also beginning at 1:00 p.m.