SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University baseball team made four costly errors in game one at Slippery Rock University and suffered its first loss of the season on Tuesday afternoon, 7-6, at Jack Critchfield Park. The Lakers rebounded for a 7-2 victory over The Rock in the nightcap to move to 15-1 overall and 7-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division. Slippery Rock moved to 10-9 overall and 3-5 in conference play.

In the opener, Slippery Rock jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Preston Falascino took redshirt senior Jon Corbi deep to right center field for his third home run of the season. The Rock had an opportunity to make it worse for Mercyhurst when they loaded the bases later in the inning. But, Corbi induced an inning-ending double play to avoid further trouble.

Mercyhurst tied the game in the top of the second inning against Slippery Rock starter Garret Peterson. Giancarlo Saia led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then scored when junior Austin Alonge reached on an error. Junior Hank Morrison, who drew a walk, scored on a passed ball to tie the contest.

The Lakers then took a 6-2 lead with a four-run barrage in the top of the fourth inning. The Lakers did all their damage with just one hit - a bases-clearing three-run double from junior Dan Popio. Three walks, one hit by pitch, and a wild pitch aided Mercyhurst's four-run inning.

But, nearly as fast as Mercyhurst took the lead, it gave the lead away. Slippery Rock scored three times in the bottom of the fourth, thanks in part to two Mercyhurst errors, to cut the Laker lead to 6-5. Then, with the aid of two more Laker miscues in the bottom of the fifth, Slippery Rock scored twice to take a 7-6 advantage.

Mercyhurst had two runners on base in each of the sixth and seventh innings but could not knot the game or retake the lead.

The Lakers had only four hits in game one - two by senior Angel Martinez and one each by Popio and Saia.

Corbi got the no-decision on the mound after lasting just three and one-third innings. He allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits, walked four, and struck out three. Freshman Matthew Minnick relieved Corbi and suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in an inning and a third. He dropped to 1-1 on the season. Junior Ben Nolan pitched around three walks in an inning and a third to close out the game. The righthander did strike out three.

Slippery Rock had nine hits, two each by Falascino and Kyle Vozar. Peterson lasted four innings and allowed six runs (three earned) on only three hits. He walked seven, struck out three, hit a batter, and threw three wild pitches. Falascino replaced Peterson and slammed the door on the Laker offense, picking up the win with three scoreless innings of relief.

Game two saw the Lakers jump out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a sacrifice fly from junior Brendan Cox. Slippery Rock took a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the third inning with two unearned runs against Laker starter, senior Joe Gnacinski.

But, Mercyhurst recaptured a one-run lead in the top of the fourth on an RBI triple from junior Hank Morrison and a run-scoring single from Alonge. The Lakers plated three more runs in the top of the sixth to take a 6-2 lead. Saia had an RBI triple, Alonge had an RBI single, and sophomore Cameron Balego drove home the third run on a sacrifice fly.

Saia had a run-scoring single in the top of the seventh for the final score of the contest.

Gnacinski went four innings and allowed two runs, both unearned, on two hits. He walked two and struck out four for his first win of the season. Junior Mike Schnurr pitched two scoreless innings of relief and allowed two hits while striking out three. Junior Jake Hall pitched a perfect seventh inning.

Saia went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Morrison and Alonge added a pair of hits apiece in the victory.

The Lakers will return to action with home-and-home doubleheaders on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, against crosstown-rival Gannon University. Saturday's twinbill is slated to be played at Mercyhurst while Sunday's double-dip will take place at Gannon. Both days start at 1:00 p.m.