Erie, Pa. - The Lakers got the new week started off with a two-game series with IUP in which the Crimson Hawks won both games with a final of 9-6 in game one and 8-5 in the second, moving Mercyhurst to 14-12 on the year and 6-4 in the PSAC
How it Happened
Game One
IUP got off to a quick start as they scored four runs in the opening frame. Patience proved key in the Crimson Hawk at-bats with two of their runs coming from bases-loaded walks. Mercyhurst managed to cut into the deficit with a run in the first while adding on two more in the second. Madison Fry came up with the big hit to score two in the second inning with a double to left field, making it a 4-3 game.
The Crimson Hawks were able to build their lead back up in the top half of the fourth as they plated three more runs to make the score 7-3 going into the back half of the game. Cheyenne Hindman did not allow the score to stay there for too long as she hit a homer in her team's half of the fifth frame, sending one over the center field wall, and scoring three to make it 7-6.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, that was as close as they would get with IUP adding on in the sixth with two runs to give themselves some insurance in the 9-6 win.
Game Two
IUP was once again able to fire the opening salvo with two runs in the first frame. Mercyhurst clawed their way back with a run in both the third and fourth innings to tie things up going into the back half of the contest.
The Lakers got it done on the base paths to generate their first run as a double steal helped them crack the scoreboard. With Anna O'Geen on first and Fry at third, O'Geen swiped second with Fry following on the throw to second from the catcher. The second run came via a double off the bath of Kaci Irwin who brought in Eliza Reynolds to tie the game.
Two runs in the fifth helped IUP get back on top, though, as a home run from Jordan Sylvia made it a 4-2 game. They did not stop there with the Crimson Hawks scoring six runs in the half inning to take an 8-2 lead. Allison Dejidas did manage to bring the team a little closer with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth and then again in the seventh, but it was all Mercyhurst could muster in in the 8-5 loss.
Highlights
Madison Fry led the team in hits with five, mixing in a double to her line to go along with three runs and two RBIs. Allison Dejidas carried the big stick in this one with three hits with two of them leaving the yard. She homered in back-to-back at-bats during the second game as she built up her team lead in dingers with seven now to go along with her 31 RBIs, four of which came today.
Next Game
Mercyhurst gets back on the diamond tomorrow in another PSAC matchup with Edinboro making the short trip to play the Lakers. The two teams are set to square off at 2:00 p.m. on the Mercyhurst Softball Field.
