ERIE, Pa. – The eighth-ranked Mercyhurst baseball team plays its second-to-last Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) series of the season against Erie rival Gannon this weekend.
The Lakers have changed the date of their home doubleheader to Friday, April 27, at 1 p.m. Gannon will host its doubleheader on Sunday, April 29, also starting at 1 p.m.
In addition, Saturday's Senior Day fesitivities will now be moved to next Friday's home finale against Pitt Johnstown.
THE MATCHUP
The Lakers' matchup with the Golden Knights could carry great importance with the recently released NCAA Regional Rankings. Mercyhurst (27-7, 24-7 DII, 16-4 PSAC West) sits in second place behind PSAC East's Bloomsburg while Gannon (23-14, 22-13 DII, 12-8 PSAC WEST) holds the seventh ranking.
Mercyhurst took three-of-four against Gannon last season, including winning both games of its home doubleheader.
Russell Lamovec threw a complete-game shutout at home while
Vincenzo Lucente added a complete-game win at Gannon.
Gannon did manage to snap the Lakers 18-game win streak in the fourth and final game of the series with a 4-0 win.
The Golden Knights split their latest PSAC series against California (Pa.) April 20-21. Gannon won both of its home games and holds a 11-4 record at McConnell Family Stadium entering Thursday.
Gannon Players To Watch: R-Jr. Nate Cardy (36 starts, .396 BA, 9 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 34 RBI); Jr. Dominic Mori (36 starts, .354 BA, 8 2B, 3 HR, 31 RBI)
Gannon's Top Pitchers: Jr. Jarod Morrison (9 starts, 4-4 W/L, 50.1 IP, 4.83 ERA), Sr. David Cricks (9 starts, 3-1 W/L, 40.2 IP, 4.65 ERA, 47 K)
LAKER OUTLOOK
Mercyhurst swept their latest PSAC series last weekend against Clarion. The Lakers' offense has been on a tear of late, averaging 7.92 runs per game over its last 12 games.
Daniel Elliott was named PSAC West Athlete of the Week last weekend, the first Lakers' position player to win the award this season and the fourth player overall.
Mercyhurst's pitching staff remains the top team in the country at striking out batters with a 11.6 K/9 innings. The staff also ranks 3
rd nationally in H/9 (6.69), 4
th in shutouts (8), 6
th in WHIP (1.23), and 9
th in ERA (3.38).
MERCYHURST IN THE POLLS
As mentioned earlier, the Lakers ranked second in the first edition of the NCAA Atlantic Regional Rankings this week. They remained atop the NCBWA Atlantic Region Rankings and rose slightly in all three national polls this week.
|
Collegiate Baseball |
NCBWA |
Perfect Game |
NCBWA
(Atl. Region) |
NCAA
(Atl. Region) |
Lakers'
Record* |
| Preseason |
#10 |
#11 |
#6 |
#2 |
N/A |
0-0 |
| Feb. 19-25 |
N/A |
#14 |
N/A |
#2 |
N/A |
0-0 |
| Feb. 26-March 4 |
N/A |
#8 |
#3 |
#1 |
N/A |
2-0 |
| March 5-11 |
#5 |
#4 |
#3 |
#1 |
N/A |
5-0 |
| March 12-18 |
#19 |
#7 |
#11 |
#2 |
N/A |
6-3 |
| March 19-25 |
#18 |
#15 |
#11 |
#2 |
N/A |
8-3 |
| March 26-April 1 |
#14 |
#9 |
#7 |
#1 |
N/A |
13-3 |
| April 2-8 |
#14 |
#8 |
#7 |
#1 |
N/A |
16-4 |
| April 9-15 |
#14 |
#11 |
#7 |
#1 |
N/A |
20-5 |
| April 16-22 |
#16 |
#9 |
#8 |
#1 |
N/A |
23-7 |
| April 23-29 |
#15 |
#8 |
#7 |
#1 |
#2 |
27-7 |
*Record entering the week
