Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Softball team returns to Erie for the first time this season while they also play on their new home field for the first time. Mercyhurst hosts D'Youville for a home opener doubleheader. Following the home open the Lakers travel to Seton Hill to play Malone twice and then Seton Hill in a non-conference game.
1. Not In Florida Anymore
The Lakers came back from 'The Spring Games' in Winter Haven, FL after finishing the week with a 5-4 record that included wins over Saint Rose, St. Cloud State, Bloomfield, Ashland, and Staten Island. Prior to heading to Florida the Lakers visited in Glenville State and went 3-1 while beating West Chester, Shephard, and Salem.
2. Home Sweet Home
The Lakers opened the Mercyhurst Softball field on August 27th, 2021 and Tuesday will be the first time that they are competing on the new field. The Lakers played at Porath Field which is just a few minutes off of the Mercyhurst campus since 2002. In their last five seasons played off campus the Lakers had a 23-37 record including last season in which they went 8-8 in home games.
3. .300+
Four Lakers are hitting .300 or better this season. Madison Fry leads the team in hitting as she has tallied a .449 batting average in 13 games this season. To go along with her .449 average she has also scored eight runs and has a perfect field percentage as she has record 47 putouts and added two assists.
Brianne Egelston is also hitting over .300 as she has 18 hits in 49 at bats which is good for a .367 average, she has also scored a team high 10 runs. Chloe McQuestion is hitting .306 while Allison Dejidas is hitting .300 on the nose both players have started and playing in 13 games this season.
4. In The Circle
Only three Lakers have toed the rubber this season for the Lakers, Kaitlin Hoffner has been dominate out of the bullpen this season for the Lakers. In her five appearances she has a .57 ERA while striking out 10 batters over 12.1 innings. Mikaela Schramski has started in seven games this season and has a 2.80 ERA in 40 innings and has punched out 34 batters which is fourth in the PSAC. Morgan Hilty has been the only other Laker pitcher to take the circle and has a 1.96 ERA to go along with 14 strikeouts in 35.2 innings.
5. Scouting The Opponents
The Lakers host D'Youville prior to going back on the road to play Malone twice and Seton Hill this weekend.
D'Youville is off to a 6-0 start but have only played one Division II team, that lone game was against Nyack. Maddy Pepke leads the Saints with a .650 average while Mikaela Milleville is second on the team with a .571 average. Only three pitchers have pitched for the Saints this season while they have combined for a 1.11 ERA and opposing hitters are hitting .223 against them.
Malone enters the week with a 3-2 record, they opened their season with three wins against Iowa Wesleyan, Rochester University, and Lincoln. The Pioneers are slated to play Point Park on Wednesday and Seton Hill on Friday. Six players are hitting over .300 for Malone including April Howser who is hitting .647.
The Lakers close out their weekend with a game against Seton Hill who has started the season 11-2 that included an eight game winning streak to start the season. Jenna Osikowicz leads the Griffins with a .489 average and is tied for second on the team with ten RBI. Seven pitcher have toed the rubber and combined they are holding hitters to a .224 average while they have a 2.09 ERA.
