Indiana, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Baseball Team split with the IUP Crimson Hawks on Saturday, the Lakers bounced back with a game two win after falling in game one.
Game One (L, 6-2)
The Crimson Hawks took the early 2-0 lead in the first inning. They added a run in the second and the fourth and held a 5-0 lead after five full innings.
In the sixth inning Casimer Sobaszek was hit by a pitch with one out to put a runner on for the Lakers. Josh Surowiec hit his team leading 14th homer of the season to drive the lone Laker runs.
Daniel Thomas started on the mound and went five innings while allowing six runs on six hits. He struckout seven while recording six groundball outs. Hunter Treece and Corbin Foy combined for the final inning as they each recorded a groundout and Foy struckout a batter.
Game Two (W, 6-1)
The Laker offense started early in the second game after generating just three hits in game one. Troy Banks hit leadoff and drew a walk to open the game. Jack Elliott came to the plate and hit his ninth homer to put the Lakers up 2-0.
In the top of the second Matthew Gibson got in on the weekend long ball party as he homered to left field to make it 3-0.
The Lakers struck again for the third straight inning in the third. Surowiec started a two out rally by pulling one through the right side. Surowiec isn't a speedster on the base path but he swiped second for his sixth stolen base of the season. Following the stolen base, Luke Jackson doubled to right center to bring Surowiec home for the fourth Laker run.
After neither team scored in the fourth inning, the Lakers extended their lead in the fifth. Elliott ripped a double to right field with two out. IUP wanted nothing to do with the PSAC leading hitter in Surowiec so they walked him to get to Jackson. The sophomore made them pay, Jackson ripped his second double to score Elliott and Surowiec and make it 6-0 Lakers.
IUP scored their lone run in the sixth inning but could not muster up a comeback.
Adien Kelly made the start on the mound for the Lakers and went 5.1 innings. He allowed just two hits while walking one, the freshman struckout six and earned his fourth win of the season. Jacob Bazala finished the game on the mound for the Lakers for the final five outs. He struckout four of the seven batters he faced while allowing two hits.
Up Next
The Lakers have just two PSAC West weekends left, next weekend they take on Seton Hill before closing the season with Slippery Rock. Mercyhurst plays their final non-conference game against Ashland on Tuesday on the road.
