Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Softball team starts their quest for a PSAC championship on Wednesday in Quakertown, Pa. The Lakers earned the third seed in the west and will play Shippensburg, the second seed in the east in their first game.
1. The Matchup
The Lakers and Raiders have played just five times in program history with the first time being in 2006. The second time was in 2008 when the Lakers notched their first win against Ship. In 2011, the two teams matched up in the second game of the PSAC tournament in which the Lakers saw their season come to an end. The last time the teams played was in April of 2021 in which the Raiders swept the Lakers in a doubleheader.
2. Hottest Team In The Conference
As the PSAC tournament is starting the Lakers closed the regular season on a nine game winning streak which is longest in the conference. The streak started back on Apr. 16 following a game one loss to Seton Hill who finished one spot ahead of the Lakers in the PSAC West. Since the loss the Lakers have swept Edinboro, Slippery Rock, Gannon, and Clarion to close out the season. The Lakers closed out the season with a home record of 15-3.
3. Straight Ched Coming From The Circle
The combo of Mikaela Schramski and Morgan Hilty have been one of the best one-two punches in the conference this season. Schramski has started most game ones and has a 2.84 ERA to go along with a 13-6 record with 13 complete games. Opponents are hitting just .236 against the sophomore while striking out 117 batters this season. Hilty has been just as dominate in her 19 starts. She has a 1.61 ERA in her sophomore season while opponents are hitting .243 against her. Kaitlin Hoffner has been the only other pitcher with more than one appearance, she has came into 12 games and has a 2.19 ERA and a .99 WHIP in 22.1 innings.
4. Six Over .300
There are six Lakers that have played 15 or more games with a batting average over .300. Madison Fry made her return to the lineup last weekend against Gannon and raised her batting average to .520 in 28 games this season which is tops in the PSAC and the country. Freshman Eliza Reynolds was forced into the lineup and has been one the best hitters in the lineup in the last third of the season, she is hitting .417 in 19 games this season. Allison Dejidas and Marisa Cartellone have both been in the lineup in all but one game this season, they are both hitting .328 while combining for six homers and 60 RBI. Cheyenne Hindman is hitting .320 while starting in every game this season, she has three homers and 27 RBI. Kacie Irwin is hitting .300 this season while appearing in 18 games this season, she has a .425 slugging percentage while having one homer and ten RBIs.
5. Playoff Picture
The Lakers earned the third seed in the west, Cal and Kutztown are the top seeds, Shippensburg and Seton Hill are the second seeds, Bloomsburg is the third seed in the east, Shepherd and Gannon are the four seeds, while East Stroudsburg and IUP were the fifth and final seeds. The Lakers will play just one game on the first day of competition whether they win or lose. If the Lakers win their opening game, they will face the winner of Cal and either Shepherd and IUP.
