Indiana, PA—The Mercyhurst Baseball team traveled to IUP for a doubleheader with the Crimson Hawks. In game one the Lakers were able to defeat the Crimson Hawks 12-2. The Laker bats did not cool off in game two as they won 9-3 to complete the sweep.
Game One (W, 12-2)
The Lakers were able to once again jump out to an early lead, with runners on first and second, Matthew Gibson was able to single through the left side which allowed Philip Ferranti to be waved home from second and give the Lakers the 1-0 lead.
In the third inning the Lakers extended their lead to 5-0 after a leadoff double from Jack Elliott. Ferranti came to the plate and blasted a two shot to right field for his fourth homer of the year. Tyler Zaluski came to the plate after the homer and wanted his third dinger of the season and gave the Lakers a 4-0 lead. Luke Jackson came to the dish with runners on the corners and was able reach on a fielder's choice which allowed Gibson to score.
The Lakers were able to extend their lead to 11-0 in the fifth inning as Casimer Sobaszek was able to reach on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded. The inning started after Gibson reached on an error. After Josh Surowiec was hit by a pitch and Jackson walked, Sobaszek was able to drive in Gibson. One batter later Troy Banks came to the plate and singled which allowed Sobaszek to score, Surowiec came around to score on a throwing error.
Mercyhurst kept pouring it on as Ferranti singled up the middle which brought Banks around to score. Zaluski was able to add on to his great day at the plate as he tripled which brought Ferranti and Elliott across the plate.
In the seventh inning the Lakers pushed one more across to make it 12-0. Gibson was able to drive in Korey Shoupe who pinch hit earlier in the inning and singled.
Michael McDonough went five scoreless innings while allowing just three hits while striking out 10 to pick up his first win of the season. Nathan Holt replaced McDonough and allowed two runs on four hits while tallying two strikeouts.
Game Two (W, 9-3)
Chase Stewart got the ball in game two for the Lakers. Despite falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first, the Lakers were able to get on the board in the top of the second. Ferranti started the inning off with a single and Surowiec followed that with a single of his own. After groundouts from Gibson and Sobaszek, Ferranti was able to come home on the Sobaszek groundout.
Stewart was replaced by Michael Krauza in the third inning. Stewart allowed just three hits and one unearned run in his first start this season.
The Lakers were able to take the lead in the top of the fourth inning. With one out Surowiec and Gibson walked, with runners on first and second. Sobaszek was able to single to right which allowed Surowiec to score and Gibson to move up to third. Jackson came to the plate and was able to drive in Gibson with a SAC fly to give the Lakers a two-run lead.
In the fifth the Lakers pushed their lead to five. Surowiec was able to blast his third homer of the season. Ferranti came around to score after he walked with two outs in the frame. Gibson and Sobaszek followed that up with back to back singles. After a throwing error by the Crimson Hawk pitcher, Gibson scored to make it 6-1 heading to the bottom half of the fifth.
In the bottom of fifth, IUP scratched two runs across to make it 5-3. The Lakers regained their five-run lead in the top of the sixth after Luke Baranchak doubled to start the inning. Banks came to the plate and blasted his fifth homer of the season.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth the Lakers were able to score their ninth run of the day on a wild pitch from IUP.
Krauza went three innings in his 13th appearance of the season, he allowed two runs on four hits for the Lakers.
Hunter Treece took the mound in the sixth inning and was able to close out the game. He went two innings and allowed just one hit while striking out one.
Offensive Outburst
The Lakers scored 21 runs in the two games which is the most they have scored in a PSAC doubleheader this season. Mercyhurst also tallied 19 hits with nine Lakers recording at least one hit.
Going for the Sweep
Mercyhurst will attempt to complete their first four game sweep in PSAC play tomorrow at home. This is also the first time this season that Lakers have swept a PSAC doubleheader.
Up Next
The Lakers will take on the Crimson Hawks tomorrow before facing Seton Hill next weekend in a four-game series.
