Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MURFREESBORO, N.C. - The Mercyhurst University baseball team opened the 2013 season in fine fashion on Saturday, taking both games of a doubleheader over the Hawks of Chowan University. The Lakers took game one behind a strong pitching performance from sophomore Dan Altavilla, 5-2, then held off the Hawks in game two to complete the sweep, 6-5. Mercyhurst starts the season with a 2-0 mark while Chowan dropped to 1-7 on the campaign.

Altavilla, making the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation this season, had a strong first collegiate start in game one. The sophomore righthander went six innings, allowing one earned run on six hits. He walked two and struck out eight.

Mercyhurst provided all of the offense Altavilla would need in the first three innings. The Lakers plated a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and then scored three more in the top of the third. In the first, three consecutive singles by sophomore Kolin McMillen, Zak Blair, and Ryan Siegel, loaded the bases for junior transfer Joe Pantano. Pantano, making his Mercyhurst debut after two seasons at Erie Community College, laced a single to left field, driving home McMillen and Blair for the game's first runs.

In the third inning, the Lakers got a leadoff walk from Blair and then back-to-back singles by Siegel and Pantano to load the bases with nobody out. Junior transfer Adam Urschel, who also played two seasons at Erie Community College, reached on a fielder's choice to drive in the first run of the inning. Then, a bad pickoff attempt by Hawks' starting pitcher Evan Hart allowed Siegel to come around and score for the second run of the frame. Freshman Hank Morrison then drove in the Lakers' third run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to left field.

That would be all Altavilla would need. He would allow the only run of his outing in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI single by Josh Catalano.

Junior transfer Jon Corbi, who played two seasons at Niagara County Community College, saw his first action in a Mercyhurst uniform in the seventh inning. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out one.

The Lakers rapped 11 hits in game one, three by Blair, who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Pantano and Siegel chipped in with two hits apiece.

Senior lefthander Ben Rawding got the call in game two for the Lakers, making his season debut after his tremendous 2012 campaign.

The Hawks would touch up the southpaw with three runs in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run double by Ryan Moore and an RBI single by Colby Wiggins.

But, Mercyhurst would answer with four runs in the top half of the third inning to take a 4-3 lead. Blair would start the rally with an RBI single to center field, which drove home sophomore catcher Jake Marinelli, who led off the inning getting hit by a pitch. Siegel followed with an RBI single, driving home freshman Brendan Cox, who reached on a fielder's choice. Pantano kept the hit parade going with a two-run single, driving home McMillen, who walked, and Blair. Siegel was later gunned down at the plate by Moore, Chowan's rightfielder, which nearly came back to haunt the Lakers in the late stages of the game.

The Lakers tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 6-3 lead. McMillen led off the inning with a single and then advanced to third on a double by Blair. Siegel followed with a single, driving home McMillen for the Lakers' first run. Pantano then knocked home Blair with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Things would get very interesting in the Chowan seventh. Rawding started the inning but had to be relieved by junior transfer Tanner Delahoy to secure the win. Moore led off the inning by reaching on an error, then advanced to second on a walk to Evan Seymour. Brett Allen reached on a fielder's choice, putting runners at the corners with one out. Wiggins drove home Moore, cutting the Laker lead to 6-4. Then, after Catalano walked to load the bases with one out, Delahoy, who played two seasons at Jamestown Community College, entered the ballgame. He promptly walked Brandon Mack, driving home a run to make the score 6-5. Delahoy then struck out Evan Holton on a called strike three and finally ended the rally when John Hunter popped out to Morrison at first base.

Rawding didn't have a stellar line in his debut, but pitched well enough to earn the victory. He went 6.1 innings and allowed five hits and five runs, four of which were earned. He walked three and struck out six. Delahoy picked up his first save in a Mercyhurst uniform.

Mercyhurst had ten more hits in game two, led by Siegel's three. Blair and freshman Stephen Scaccia had two hits apiece.

Blair, Siegel, and Pantano were thorns in Chowan's side all day. The trio combined to go 13-for-21 at the plate with five runs scored and eight runs batted in.

The Lakers will play Chowan again on Sunday, February 10 in a single, nine-inning contest. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 noon.