Erie, PA—Coming off their first PSAC four game sweep of the season the Mercyhurst baseball team will face Seton Hill who is currently ranked seventh in the country.
Laker Overview
Mercyhurst was able to sweep the IUP Crimson Hawks this past weekend. On Friday, the Lakers were able to defeat IUP by a score of 12-2. Leading the way for the Lakers in game one was the trio of Philip Ferranti, Tyler Zaluski, and Matthew Gibson. Ferranti went 2-4 at the plate while homering and driving in three on the day. Zaluski went 2-3 at the dish while driving in three as well. Gibson went 2-5 at the plate while driving in two runs and scoring two for the Lakers. Michael McDonough picked up his first win of the season in the game. He went 5 innings and allowed no runs and just three hits while also striking out a season high ten.
In game two the Lakers were able to win by a score of 9-3, while Michael Krauza picked up his fourth win of season out of the bullpen. Six different Lakers recorded hits while three of them had multi-hit games. Josh Surowiec was able to go to 2-3 while hitting in the five-hole for the Lakers. He homered while driving in two runs and scoring two runs. Casimer Sobaszek went 2-4 with two RBI in game two, while Luke Baranchak went 2-2 with a run and two walks. Troy Banks went 1-2 with a homer, 2 RBI, and two walks out of the leadoff position.
The two teams traveled back to Erie for games three and four on Saturday. Brett Whiteman got the ball for the Lakers in game three and was able to go four innings while allowing just two runs while striking out four. The trio of Adam Jeannette, Josh Greggs and Robert Hartman combined for the final three innings while allowing just two hits and no runs. Ferranti continued his great weekend as he was able to 2-4 with three RBIs and a homer in the first game on Saturday. Baranchak also kept his hot bat warm overnight as he went 1-2 as he blasted a three-run shot over the left field fence. Five Lakers recorded hits while five also recorded RBIs in the 10-3 win.
For game two in Erie, the Lakers started the game off with a bang as Banks was able to belt the second-pitch he saw over the left field fence to give the Lakers the early 1-0 lead. Mercyhurst wasn't done in the opening inning as on back-to-back pitch Ferranti and Surowiec roped doubles to put the Lakers up two. Zaluski came to the plate with a chance to extend the lead as he singled which brought Surowiec home to make it 3-0 after one. IUP pushed one across in the second, however Jack Elliott answered in the fifth with his PSAC leading ninth homer of the season to make it 6-1. Frank Fraschetti earned the win on the mound as he went three innings, allowed one unearned run while striking out two. Chad Cwik came out of the bullpen for 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. Jack Goonan came in for the seventh and got two strikeouts and weak groundout to end the series.
Where They Rank
Mercyhurst currently ranks eighth in the PSAC in batting average with a .289 team average. The team also ranks fourth in runs scored, third in hits, sixth in doubles, second in homers, fifth in RBIs, second in hit by pitches and fifth in walks.
The pitching staff ranks third in team ERA with a 4.27, third in saves with six, and they are on top of the PSAC with the lowest opposing batting average which is .225.
Playoffs?! Talking About Playoffs?!
In 2021, the PSAC will have the top four teams from each division start the playoffs on May 12th in a single elimination game before the PSAC semi-finals on May 16th and 17th which will be a best of three series. The PSAC Finals will take place on May 21st and 22nd.
Currently Mercyhurst is tied with Cal in the PSAC West behind Seton Hill (9-1), while Slippery Rock currently in fourth with a 5-3 record. Conference winning percentage will determine seedings.
All Time vs Seton Hill
Dating back to 2014, the Lakers are 14-16 against the Griffins. The Lakers last beat the Griffins on April 15th, 2019 by a score of 9-3 with Tyler Garbee earning the road win. The last time the Lakers won at home against the Griffins was April 6th, 2018 by a score of 1-0.
Scouting the Griffins
Seton Hill enters this weekends series with a 17-1 record and being ranked seventh in the nation with a record of 17-1 which includes a 9-1 record in conference and a perfect 13-0 record at home. Last weekend they faced Gannon and were able to win three of four games, on Tuesday they swept Clarion in a double header. As a team, the Griffins are hitting .307 while their opponents are hitting just .246. Seton Hill has two players over .450 while three others are hitting over .300. Tommy Pellis leads the team with a .471 average and 18 RBIs. Derek Orndorff has a .467 average while he is also second in the PSAC with eight homers. Calden Wood is their best pitcher out of the bullpen as he has a 4-0 record out of the 'pen while also having a perfect 0.00 ERA. Ben Vicini has made the most starts for the Griffins and has a 3.29 ERA and a 3-0 record in five starts.
Up Next
After the series with Seton Hill the Lakers will take on Slippery Rock with the Lakers traveling to Slippery Rock on Friday and at home on Saturday.
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Fan Policy For Seton Hill Home Events Cane Be Found HERE
