Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Softball team is riding a five game winning streak as they play a non-conference series against Lake Erie and their first PSAC West series against crosstown rival Gannon.
1.Riding High
Mercyhurst have a five game winning streak that started in Florida with a win over Staten Island. The Lakers then came home and completed a doubleheader sweep of D'Youville with 8-2 and 9-1 wins over the Saints. After completing the sweep, the Lakers traveled to Greensburg, Pa. to take on Malone in a neutral site game and then a non-conference game against Seton Hill. In the first game the Lakers beat Malone 7-0. Against Seton Hill who was receiving votes in the national poll, the Lakers won 9-6 over the Griffins.
2. Fry is Frying Opponents
Madison Fry is hitting .516 this season at the plate which is seventh in the nation and second in the PSAC. In 64 at-bats she has 33 hits while she has also scored a team high 16 runs, she has also swiped seven bases out of the leadoff position. This past weekend she had three three-hit games while starting the week with a two-hit game. She also had a perfect fielding percentage recording 61 outs and adding six assists.
3. Hindman Named Athlete of the Week
Cheyenne Hindman went 5-9 this week at the plate while blasting a homer and driving in seven runs for Mercyhurst. The Harrisburg, Pa. native also walked twice while scoring two runs and swiping a base. In the field she tallied 13 assists in four games while adding two putouts. In the home opener doubleheader against D'Youville she also had a double in each game.
She is the second Laker to win PSAC honors this season, Mikaela Schramski was named PSAC West Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 28.
4. We Are Dealing
The Laker pitching staff is among the best in the PSAC as they have a 2.21 ERA which is third in the PSAC. They have only given up 36 earned runs through 17 games. The Lakers also holding hitters to a .240 batting average whole having allowed just four homers this season.
Three Lakers have been mainstays in the circle including Mikaela Schramski who has started nine games this season and six complete games to go along with a 2.33 ERA. In 54 innings she has 46 strikeouts and is limiting opposing hitter to a .218 average. Morgan Hilty has a 1.89 ERA and has five complete games while striking out 17 and has allowed just nine walks. Kaitlin Hoffner has dominated out of the bullpen making five appearances, she has allowed just six hits and has ten strikeouts in 12.1 innings.
5. Scouting Lake Erie and Gannon
The Lake Erie Storm enter the week with a 4-8 record to start the season they have wins over UPJ, Lock Haven, and two over Clarion. Tymarie Hutchinson leads the way offensively for Lake Erie as she is hitting .444 this season. Only six pitchers have taken to the circle this season and they have a combined ERA of 4.74 while opposing hitters are hitting just under .300 against them.
Gannon starts the week at 7-7 and will play a doubleheader against D'Youville on Wednesday. They are coming off a sweep of Lake Erie on Friday at home. The Golden Knights have two hitters batting over .300 and as a team they are hitting .231, they have also struckout 76 times. Three pitches have toed the rubber for Gannon as opponents are hitting .230 against Gannon. Last season the Lakers and Golden Knights split the season series with each team sweeping on the road.
