Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

HICKORY, N.C. – The Mercyhurst University softball team finished off their weekend at Lenoir-Rhyne University on Sunday afternoon. The Lakers dropped both contests in the double header to fall to 0-4 on opening weekend. Lenior-Rhyne improved to 3-1.

The Lakers gave up 11 runs in game one, all earned by Lenior-Rhyne's offensive attack, to force the game to end after the fifth inning. The Lakers allowed at least one run in all four innings of defense in route to the loss of game one. Senior Megan Smith tallied the lone hit for Mercyhurst which was a double to right center. She went 1 for two in game one. Smith also suffered her first lost on the mound, pitching four complete innings and collected three strikeouts.

In game two, the Lakers defense improved as they did not allow a run in three of the seven innings played. Lenior-Rhyne took the lead early with two runs in the first inning but the Lakers defense held the Bears the second and third inning before allowing three more in the fourth.

The Lakers only run of the afternoon came at the top of the sixth inning. The Lakers generated the offense from a two-out rally where senior Courtney Smith drove a double down center field to get on base. Head Coach Leanne Baker put some speed from freshman Khyshwaunna Nance with Megan Smith up next at the plate. Megan Smith hit her second double of the day, this time down the left field line for Nance to cross the dish. The Lakers run made the score 7-1 before the final inning.

Junior Annie Truelove pitched all six innings, giving up ten hits, walked four and collected four strikeouts. She fell to 0-2 on the season.

Sophomore Taylor Jezuit went 3 for 3 at the plate in game two and contributed at catcher in the defense position. She now leads the team with a .500 batting average after going 3 for 6 on the weekend. Courtney Smith is second after going 4 for 9 with a double and one scored run. With the two doubles hit by Megan Smith, she now has one RBI on the season and has crossed the plate once.

The Lakers return to action on Friday, February 21at Tusculum College in Tennessee where Mercyhurst will face PSAC East opponents No. 2 Kutztown and East Stroudsburg University. The Lakers will open the weekend at 12:00 against Kutztown and finish the double header against East Stroudsburg at 2:00 p.m.