MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Mercyhurst University baseball team finally got its season underway on Saturday afternoon, and did so in impressive fashion, sweeping the Bald Eagles of Lock Haven University by the scores of 9-1 and 10-0 in a doubleheader at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach. The games also marked the first of the season for Lock Haven.

Mercyhurst received stellar pitching performances from redshirt sophomore Colin McKee in game one and redshirt senior Jon Klein in game two. McKee, the Lakers' closer last season, was one out away from a no-hitter before allowing a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh to Ryan Orgitano after a walk to Brett Morrison. An error by centerfielder, redshirt senior Ryan Siegel, on the base hit allowed Morrison to come all the way around to score, just moments before Orgitano was thrown out trying to get to third base - Lock Haven's only run of the game. McKee issued three walks and struck out nine in his complete game gem.

Klein, meanwhile, allowed only two hits in five and two-thirds scoreless innings in the nightcap. He walked two and struck out eight before giving way to junior Jake Hall and freshman Connor Ryan to finish things out to pitch a perfect final inning and a third.

Offensively, the Lakers wasted little time in the opener, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning against Lock Haven starter Madison Neddo. Senior Angel Martinez started off the inning with a double to left field and, after a walk to Siegel, back-to-back errors allowed Martinez and Siegel to score the Lakers' first runs of the season. Junior Hank Morrison completed the scoring with a two-run double to left field driving home juniors Brendan Cox and Dan Popio, who reached on the errors.

Mercyhurst added another in the second to take a 5-0 lead on a ground rule double by Siegel that drove home sophomore Cameron Balego, who reached on an error to start the inning.

In the fifth, the Lakers had three more runners cross the plate, to extend their lead to 8-0. Popio led off the inning with a triple and then scored on an infield single by senior Giancarlo Saia. Mercyhurst's second run of the inning, scored by Saia, came on a balk, while Balego followed with an infield RBI single to score junior Austin Alonge, who reached on an error earlier in the frame.

Mercyhurst added its final run in the sixth on a solo home run by Siegel.

Siegel went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Morrison added a pair of hits and a pair of runs batted in while Martinez also collected two hits in the Laker victory.

Neddo suffered the loss, allowing eight runs (four earned) on seven hits. He walked one and struck out one in four and one-third innings. Aaron Lidgett allowed on run on two hits while striking out three as he closed out the contest for the Bald Eagles.

In the nightcap, the Lakers did all of their damage in the first and seventh innings.

A four-run first inning gave Klein all of the offense he would need. Cox drove home a pair with a two-run single back up the middle while Morrison followed with an RBI triple. Saia drove home the final run of the inning with an RBI groundout that scored Morrison.

Six more Laker runs crossed the plate in the seventh for the final margin. Morrison drove home the first run of the inning with an RBI single and Saia followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 6-0. Balego had an RBI single and then junior designated hitter Dan Karstedt cleared the bases with a two-run triple to right center making it 9-0. Freshman Daniel Elliot finished off the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left.

Mercyhurst had 13 hits in the nightcap - two each by Popio, Morrison, Balego, and Karstedt. Four players also had two runs batted in - Cox, Morrison, Saia, and Karstedt.

Lock Haven's Joe Nestor suffered the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in five innings. He walked four and struck out one. Tyler Carns pitched the final two innings and allowed six runs on seven hits.

The Lakers will play against Lock Haven again on Sunday for another twinbill at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach.