Erie, PA—The No.23 Mercyhurst Baseball team opened PSAC play this afternoon with Gannon, the Lakers fell by scores of 3-0 and 6-5.

Game One (L, 3-0)

Michael McDonough started on the bump for the Lakers, he went two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit while striking out four Golden Knights.

Michael Krauza took over on the bump for his sixth appearance in just 13 games for the Lakers.

Gannon was able to take the first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Golden Knights got back-to-back hits to put the first run of the game on the board. Two batters later, Gannon would strike again to make it 2-0. Krauza would strikeout the next batter to leave a runner stranded on third.

Krauza was able to bounce back in the fifth inning as he retired Gannon in order with two strikeouts and a popout.

Gannon was able to extend the lead to three in the sixth inning.

Mercyhurst was only able to generate three hits in game one, Philip Ferranti had two while Josh Surowiec had one for the Lakers.

Game 2 (L, 6-4)

For the second game the Lakers sent Frank Fraschetti to the bump. Fraschetti went 3.1 innings which included three scoreless while striking out four and walking just one.

Mercyhurst and Gannon played three innings of scoreless baseball.

In the bottom of the fourth the Golden Knights were able to score six runs and took the lead.

Hunter Treece would replace Fraschetti with one out in the fouth. Treece went 1.2 innings while allowing three hits and one run, while striking out three Gannon hitters.

The Laker bats woke up in the bottom of the sixth, Jordan Zilka and Casimer Sobaszek started the inning off with back-to-back singles. With runners on first and second Troy Banks took the first pitch he saw and put it over the left field wall. It was Bank's team leading fourth homer and he now has eight RBI on the season.

Mercyhurst wasn't done in the sixth, Jack Elliott started the rally up again with a single to center, Ferranti would draw a four-pitch walk bringing Surowiec to the plate with no outs and runners on first and second. Surowiec put a drive into one and took the centerfielder to the wall to make the catch, Elliott moved up to third on the deep flyout.

Luke Baranchak would walk to load the bases. Matthew Gibson came to the plate looking to either tied or put the Lakers in the lead. Gibson drove one to left which would get down for a standup double, Ferranti and Elliott scored easily, Baranchak was waived around third, after a perfect relay from Gannon he was thrown out on a bang-bang play.

Robert Hartman came in on the bump for the bottom of the sixth and worked around a walk and needed just 11 pitches to get the Lakers through the bottom of the sixth.

The Laker come back came up just short in the seventh as they couldn't push the tying run across.

Up Next

The Lakers will host Gannon at Mercyhurst, first pitch is slated 1 PM with game two starting 30 minutes after game one ends.

Spectator Policy

· Each Rostered Baseball Player will Receive Two Tickets

· No visiting team spectators will be permitted at the site of the competition.

· Tailgating is prohibited before or after any athletic event.

· There will be no contact with student-athletes or mingling between student-athletes and team personnel before or after events.

· Masks must be worn at all times -indoors and outdoors – while on campus and at an off-campus MU athletic home competition site. Fans must also practice social distancing.

· Gates will open 30 minutes prior to the official game start time. Fans must leave immediately after the completion of the game.

· Before spectators arrive at Mercyhurst campus, they must complete the Mercyhurst Guest Screening. www.mercyhurst.edu/guest

· Upon arrival, spectators will go to the check in table to show successful completion of guest screening on a mobile device.

· Spectators will not be permitted into events without being on game spectator list.

· Spectators sitting in bleachers will sit in designated areas that are marked for proper social distancing.

· Spectators sitting in personal chairs must follow the family groups of 4 or less and social distance from other groups.

· Families will be required to stay in their pods from other groups.

· Concessions will not be available

· Spectators will be required to vacate the facility within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the event.

· Any spectator refusing to comply with these policies will be immediately removed from the facility or denied entry. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Additional Safety Measures

· Signage will be placed throughout facilities encouraging social distancing and mask wearing.

· Hand sanitizing stations and wipes will be placed throughout facilities.

· Any high touch areas will be frequently cleaned before, during and after events.

· Campus staff and administration will be on site to ensure safety measures are followed