WINDBER, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University softball team swept a twinbill at the Iron Horse Complex in Windber, Pa. against Pitt-Johnstown Thursday morning. The Lakers (8-14, 2-5 PSAC) took game one of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division matchup by a score of 3-1, while game two saw a shutout performance from the Mercyhurst defense, defeating the Mountain Cats (3-15, 3-7 PSAC), 1-0.

Mercyhurst jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning in game one. After Rachel DiBartolomeo led off game one with a walk, Taylor Jezuit laid down a sacrifice bunt and would reach on an error that advanced DiBartolomeo to second. Becky Malaga would follow, proceeding both runners, as she grounded out to second base.

After Emily Hair sacrificed Jezuit to third and reached on a fielder's choice, DiBartolomeo was thrown out at the plate for the second out of inning. With runners now on the corners and two outs, Courtney Brothers ripped a single to right field, scoring Jezuit and Hair, for a two run lead.

While starting pitcher Annie Truelove pitched four scoreless innings, only allowing one hit, the Mountain Cats' left fielder Stephanie Seibert singled up the middle, scoring the runner from second, and advanced to second on the throw. As the Lakers still held the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the fifth, Truelove was relieved of her duties, pitching four and two thirds innings, allowing two hits and one earned run. Senior right-hander Alexandra Puckly came in to retrieve the last out of the fifth.

The Lakers would add an insurance run in the top of the sixth when Brothers and Tawny Godin each recorded hits to right field. Brothers tripled with one out to set up Godin for an RBI single and a 3-1 Mercyhurst advantage.

Puckly would hold Pitt-Johnstown hitless the final two innings and would receive her second save. Truelove received the win, moving her record to 4-7 overall. Melissa Wagner took the loss, falling to 1-8 on the season.

Game two saw the Lakers' defense earn their third shutout of the season, while starting pitcher Heather Nye and Puckly allowed two Mountain Cat hits.

Sophomore Francesca Costanzo scored the only run of the game in the top of the second, homering to center field for her first homerun of the season.

The Lakers mustered nine hits with Malaga going three-for-three. Jezuit and Costanzo each had two hits apiece, while DiBartolomeo and Alissa Petrosoniak added one.  

With the sweep of UPJ, the Lakers improve to 8-14 overall, 2-5 PSAC. Pitt-Johnstown falls to 3-15 and 3-7 PSAC.

Mercyhurst's next game will be Saturday at home against cross-town rival Gannon. Tomorrow's scheduled doubleheader at Edinboro has been postponed due to rain in the forecast and bad field conditions. Saturday's doubleheader is slated for a 3:00 p.m. first-pitch from Mercyhurst Softball Field.