Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Softball team beat their cross-town rival Gannon twice on a sunny Friday afternoon at home. The Lakers won the first game in walk-off fashion while taking the second game by a score of 6-1.
Game One (W, 8-7)
The Lakers struck quickly in game one when Madison Fry singled and advanced to second on a SAC bunt from Eliza Reynolds. Fry moved to third when Cheyenne Hindman struck out swinging and reached first on a passed ball and would sneak home as the Gannon infield tried to catch Hindman stealing.
In the third, Hindman singled and moved to second on a passed ball. Marissa Cartellone would send her home on a single to center field and put the Lakers up 3-0.
The Golden Knight offense came to life in the fourth and fifth innings where they scored 6 runs to take the lead, but the Lakers would respond with a sixth inning rally. Rozanski was the first Laker to reach base safely in the inning after getting hit by a pitch. Jessica Clark would pinch run for Rozanski. Fry walked to move the runner and Reynolds reached on a fielder's choice putting Clark on third. Clark came home on an error by the Gannon defense and Hindman followed that up with a single to score Reynolds. Allison Dejidas was the next Laker with an RBI in the inning sending Hindman home on a single to center field. Cartellone tacked on the last run of the inning with a double to right center putting the Lakers on top 7-6.
Gannon tied the game in the top half of the seventh inning, but the Lakers finished the game with an exciting walk-off hit from Fry after Kaci Alderson walked, Rozanski reached on an error, and Chloe McQuestion singled to load the bases.
Mikaela Schramski pitched the complete game striking out 11 batters and issuing no walks.
Game Two (W, 6-1)
Both teams scored in the first inning of the second game, but Mercyhurst's offense would top the Golden Knights in the second game of the day.
In the bottom of the first, Reynolds double and Hindman walked followed up by a single from Dejidas to load the bases. Koscho collected the two RBI's as she singled up the left side.
Reynolds, who went 4-4 in game two, doubled again in the fourth inning and Hindman would do the same to bring her home and extend the Lakers' lead to 3-1.
There was still more in the tank for the Laker offense as they added on three runs in the sixth. Fry led off the inning with a single and Reynolds brought her home on her third double of the game. Hindman made her way on base once again reaching on a fielder's choice and scored when Dejidas put the ball in play and reached on an error by the Gannon defense. Koscho got the last RBI of the day when she singled up the middle to bring home Dejidas.
Morgan Hilty was in the circle for the Lakers pitching all seven innings while recording five strikeouts and holding the Gannon offense to only one run.
Back In The Postseason
For the second straight season the Lakers have clinched a position in the PSAC postseason with the two wins on Friday. The Lakers aren't set into a seeding but they can still jump ahead of Gannon with a sweep of Clarion tomorrow.
Up Next
The two big wins for the Lakers clinched them a spot in the PSAC postseason. The Lakers finish up their regular season at home tomorrow against the Clarion Golden Eagles and have the opportunity to rise in the rankings.
