Box Score

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - One unearned run in the top of the first inning by the Lions of Molloy College stood up, as the Mercyhurst University baseball team dropped a 1-0 decision on Friday afternoon in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Lakers have now dropped three straight and are 2-3 on the young season. Meanwhile, the Lions picked up their first victory of the season and are 1-4 on the year.

The Cal Ripken Experience, a wooden bat tournament, has not been a pleasant experience for the Lakers, as Mercyhurst is 0-2 in the opening two days of the event. The Lakers' bats have been quiet, but not without opportunities. Mercyhurst has scored just two runs in the two games but has left 24 runners on base, including ten more on Friday.

Molloy scored the only run of the game in the top of the first inning off of Mercyhurst starter, junior Braedon Pennington, who was making his first start in a Laker uniform. After a one-out walk to Greg Walsh, John Galanoudis reached on a single to center field, putting runners at first and second. The runners would advance on a passed ball and Erik Pyle would lift a fly ball to right field to drive home Walsh for the game's only run.

Mercyhurst would have plenty of opportunities throughout the contest. In the bottom of the second, sophomore Ryan Siegel singled with one out and then advanced to second on a free pass to freshman Joel Yeagley. However, back-to-back strikeouts would end the Laker threat.

In the fifth, Mercyhurst would again put two runners on base after a walk to sophomore Jake Marinelli and a single by sophomore Kolin McMillen, but would fail to score. In the sixth, Siegel doubled with two outs, but Yeagley would line out to center to close the frame.

Mercyhurst would put two more runners on in the seventh, but would fail to capitalize. In the eighth, senior Zak Blair led off the inning with a single to left center and then would be sacrificed to second by junior Joe Pantano. Siegel, who went 3-for-4, struck out, but had to be thrown out at first base, advancing Blair to third. However, Yeagley flew out to left to end the threat. Mercyhurst would get another runner into scoring position in the ninth inning, after sophomore Kyle Hagerich was hit by a pitch. But, a flyout by junior Adam Urschel, and a groundout by McMillen closed out the contest.

Pennington pitched around trouble in his five and one-third innings. He allowed one unearned run on four hits, but walked six batters. He also struck out six in suffering his first loss of the season. Freshman Cam Knott was superb out of the Laker bullpen, allowing just one hit in three and two-thirds innings while striking out six.

Max Schoenfeld had the Lakers reeling all afternoon. He went eight innings for Molloy, allowing five hits. He walked three and struck out 11 to improve to 1-1 on the season. Patrick Brown came in for his first save of the season, allowing one baserunner in the ninth.

Siegel had three of Mercyhurst's five hits. Blair and McMillen had the others. Ray McCourt led Molloy with two hits.

Mercyhurst will look to get the bats going on Saturday morning when it takes on Southern New Hampshire. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.