Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Softball team split a double header against California (Pa). The Lakers made a great come from behind effort in the first game but came up just short. In the second game, the Lakers came out strong early with a great offensive showing to take the 6-3 win. 
 
Game 1 (L, 6-5)
 
The Lakers started the day from behind when Cal took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Cal picked up one more run in the top of the fifth, but in the bottom of the inning the Lakers found their stride at the plate to tie the game at five. 
 
The Lakers started the rally by loading the bases when Sarah Koscho singled, Anna O'Geen walked, and Kaitlyn Hoffner singled. Chloe McQuestion collected the first RBI of the inning when she singled up the middle to bring home Koscho. Kacie Irwin juiced the bases again when she reached on an error. Cheyenne Hindman singled to score Hoffner from third and Allison Dejidas did the same to score Irwin and McQuestion.
 
Despite the great comeback from the Lakers, Cal added the winning run in the seventh on a long ball hit over the left-field fence. 
 
Mikaela Schramski threw a complete game for the tenth time this season. She forced Cal hitters into 11 groundouts, six flyouts, and struck out four. 
 
Game 2 (W, 6-3)
 
The Lakers bats started swinging early in game two of the day. In the first inning, Irwin singled and Hindman walked to get runners in scoring position for Dejidas who took advantage with a single up the middle to score Irwin from second. Marissa Cartellone singled to advance the runners, and Koscho collected and RBI when she grounded out to the shortstop and Hindman came home.
 
Another big fifth inning for the Lakers helped secure the win. Hindman started off the inning with a single down the left field line and advanced to third when Dejidas struck out swinging but reached on a wild pitch. Cartellone singled up the middle to bring Hindman home and move Dejidas to second. Koscho walked to load the bases and Hoffner drew a walk to add one more onto the Lakers lead. Eliza Reynolds grounded to short to score the runner from third and Irwin singled to third to add the Lakers last run of the inning making it 6-1. 
 
Morgan Hilty was steady in the circle for the Lakers pitching 6.1 innings with two strikeouts and ten groundouts. Hoffner came in to pitch for the last two outs of the seventh and forced two quick ground outs to end the game. 
 
Up Next
 
The Mercyhurst Softball team will be back at home tomorrow for an important PSAC West matchup against Seton Hill.