Morgantown, WV - Mercyhurst Baseball finished out their weekend with a pair of losses as they fell to D'Youville in a doubleheader Sunday. The Saints struck early in both, staking themselves to big leads as they were able to stifle the Lakers by scores of 9-6 and 13-12.
How it Happened
Game One
D'Youville jumped out in front in the early going as they scored seven runs their first time up to the plate. The Saint's offense was very patient in the early going, drawing three walks in the first while mixing in a pair of hits from the three and four hitters in the lineup to stake themselves to the early lead.
The Lakers managed to find their bearings and stop the Saints from adding on over the next few innings. Mercyhurst managed to climb right back into things during the fourth inning as they scored six runs to help them draw within one. Much like D'Youville, coach Spano's crew used their plate discipline to help them put runs on the board as they collected six free passes in the frame, all coming in a row. That, along with base hits from Matt Christopher and Ryan Hill, made it a 7-6 game going into the later stages.
The Saints were able to add on a pair of insurance runs with one in both the fourth and sixth innings to give them some breathing room. A pair of hits to open the fourth proved to be all the Laker's counterpart needed to score while a walk and a double brought around the lone tally of sixth. From there, D'Youville held on for the victory in game one of the doubleheader.
Game Two
The Saints came out swinging again as they tallied seven runs in the first inning of the back half of the doubleheader, putting them up 7-1 going into the second. The Laker's bats did not stay quiet as they clawed their way back into things, scoring a pair of runs in the second and then one apiece in the third and forth frames.
Mercyhurst was able to score in every inning of this one with multiple runs in three including four in the sixth where they were able to make it an 12-11 game. Landon DiBeradin got the ball rolling with a double to lead off the frame while two walks and a hit batter gave the Lakers a bases-loaded, no-out situation. Ryan Hill helped take a few ducks off the pond with a single as the Mercyhurst second basemen got a two-out hit to get the Lakers within one.
After the Saints added one to their tally in the bottom of the sixth, Mercyhurst looked to put up a crooked number and tie or take the lead in their last chance at the plate. After the first two batters made outs, Matt Christopher hit a double to give the team some life with Eric Chorba bringing him home. That one run was all the team could muster, though, as they eventually fell in the thrilling 13-12 defeat.
Highlights
Ryan Hill finished the double-header with four hits to lead the team to go along with four RBIs. Eric Chorba continued his strong weekend in these pair of games as he finished 2-4 in game two with two RBIs and his first home run of the season, sending one over the wall in the first inning. Vincent Stutz, Chris Juchno, and Landon DiBeradin each had two hits in the second game as well with the trio each having a double in the contest.
Next Game
Mercyhurst is scheduled to remain on the road for their next series as they travel to take on Salem University next. The Lakers see the Tigers this upcoming weekend beginning on Friday, March 3rd, with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. The teams return for action on Saturday and Sunday as well with start times of 3:30 p.m. for the middle game and 12:00 p.m. in the finale.
