Erie, PA—The Mercyhurst Lakers split a Friday doubleheader with UPJ in two games that featured two pitching duels. The Lakers fell in the first by a score of 2-1, Mercyhurst bounced back in the second game for a 4-1 victory over the Mountain Cats.
Game 1 (L, 2-1)
The Lakers sent Michael McDonough to the mound for his fifth start of the season. The senior was able to go five innings in the duel while allowing just two runs (one earned) on two hits. The senior struck out eight and lowered his ERA to 3.52.
The two UPJ runs came in the second inning when they were able to string to back to back hits and take advantage of a Laker error earlier in the inning.
Mercyhurst was able to score their lone run of the contest in the fourth inning after Jack Elliott started the inning with a single. After a Josh Surowiec walk, Tyler Zaluski came to the plate with a chance to tie the game with a runner on first and second. Zaluski forced the third basemen to make a tough play down the line and beat it out for an infield single, the low throw got away from the first basemen and Elliott came around to score. The Lakers weren't able to drive in the tying run.
Michael Krauza replaced McDonough in the sixth inning, he was able to got two scoreless innings while allowing two hits and striking out two.
Game 2 (W, 4-1)
Just like the first game of the day the two teams did not generate much offense to start the game. Frank Fraschetti got the ball in the second game and went 3.2 innings and did not run into any trouble until the fourth inning. Fraschetti allowed just four hits and one run while adding three strikeouts and six groundouts.
UPJ took the lead in the fourth after three straight singles.
Chase Stewart take the mound and pitch a perfect 1.2 innings allowing just one walk. He had two strikeouts and picked up his second win of the season.
In the fifth inning the Laker bats got hot on a cold day in Erie. Matthew Gibson started the inning with a walk, after a SAC bunt from Jordan Zilka, Casimer Sobaszek singled up the middle to drive in Gibson to tie the game. Sobaszek moved up to second on the throw home which put him scoring position for Troy Banks. Banks singled right back up the middle which drove in Sobaszek to give the Lakers the lead.
Krauza made his second apearence of the day in the top half of the sixth and was able to get a strikeout and weak groundout to first base to keep the game at 2-1.
The Lakers came to the plate looking for a couple insurance runs. Zaluski started the rally with a one out single, he then swiped second base to get into scoring position. Luke Baranchak walked to put runners on first and second. Both runners were able to move up 90 feet after a wild pitch.
With runners on second and third, Gibson was able to single to left on a 3-2 pitch which brought both Zaluski and Baranchak to the plate to bring the score to 4-1.
Jack Goonan came on to earn his fourth save of the year. He needed just 12 pitches to get three strikeouts and close the book on the Mountain Cats.
Up Next
The Lakers and Mountain Cats will square off in another doubleheader tomorrow in Johnstown starting at 1 PM. After that the Lakers will face PSAC opponents Cal in a four game series.
