Slippery Rock, PA—The Mercyhurst Baseball team traveled to Slippery Rock to take on the Rock in the first two games of their four game weekend series. In game one the Lakers fell by a score of 10-2, in game two the Lakers responded with a 7-5 win over the Rock to move them to 21-12 overall and a 12-9 record in PSAC West play.
Game One (L, 10-2)
Mercyhurst got off to a great start in game one as Tyler Zaluski roped a 3-2 pitch to right center to put a runner on second with one out in the opening inning. Jack Elliott then hit his tenth homer of the season to put the Lakers up 2-0 to start the game.
The Rock would respond in the bottom half of the inning putting up a five spot on the Lakers. Slippery Rock would add one more in the third inning to make it 6-2. The Rock would continue to pile on in the fifth as they scored four more to make it 10-2 which would be the final score.
Michael McDonough took his third loss of the season after going two innings to start the game. Frank Fraschetti went 2.2 innings in relief while Hunter Treece went 1.1 innings. The trio combined for seven strikeouts and just three walks.
Game Two (W, 7-5)
Once again, the Lakers jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning. Casimer Sobaszek opened the game with a single before Zaluski came up. Zaluski went 3-4 in the opener with three doubles and picked up where he left off as he doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. After back to back strikeouts, Josh Surowiec was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Troy Banks then put a dent in the ball as he was hit in the back which allowed Sobaszek to score. Luke Jackson and Logan Martella-Tasick drew back-to-back walks which allowed the Lakers to take a 3-0 after the top of first.
The Rock responded in the bottom half with two runs of their own to make it 3-2 after a full inning of play.
The Lakers responded right away in the second inning as Zaluski started it with a one out single, before Elliott walked to put runners on first and second with one out. Philip Ferranti then drove one to right field and strolled into second with a double that brought in Zaluski from second and put Elliott on third. Surowiec then had a productive groundout which brought Elliott in to make it 5-2 with Ferranti on third. On a 0-1 count Banks singled up the middle to make to 6-2.
Slippery Rock wouldn't be able to respond in the bottom half. Zaluski stayed hot in the top of the third as he homered to make it 7-2.
In the bottom half of the third the Rock scored three runs which forced Vincenzo Lucente out of the game. Michael Krauza took the ball and went to work with the Lakers up 7-5.
Krauza who made his 16th appearance was nothing short of spectacular as he went 4.1 innings and allowed just one hit in the seventh inning. The graduate student struck out eight of the 14 batters he faced and allowed just the one base runner.
Mercyhurst generated seven hits in the win which was led by Zaluski who was a triple shy of the cycle. Six different Lakers recorded RBIs while Banks drove in two to lead the team.
Playoff Picture
The Lakers are currently sitting in the fourth and final playoff position in the PSAC West with a conference record of 12-9. UPJ sits behind them with a record of 12-10 and Slippery Rock is still within striking distance with an 8-8 record. Mercyhurst is looking to catch Gannon and Cal who are tied in second with records of 13-9.
Up Next
Mercyhurst and the Rock will travel to Erie for their second doubleheader. Next weekend the Lakers will face Clarion in their final series of the regular season.
