Greensburg, Pa. - Mercyhurst baseball picked up the win in the opening round of the NCAA Atlantic Regional against East Stroudsburg Thursday afternoon. Five runs in the final two frames helped the team secure the 8-6 win and move on to the next round.
How It Happened
Both teams were able to get something going on offense in the opening inning as four runners reached between the two teams. A two-out walk followed by a single off the bat of Chris Juchno gave runners on first and second for Mercyhurst, but they were tuned away. They weren't to be denied in the second as Laker backstop, John Susnik, sent a long home run over the left field wall to help Mercyhurst take a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the second.
Mercyhurst was able to add on in the top of the third with an infield single off the bat of Zachary Kourous, making it a score of 3-0. The Laker freshman hit a ball to the right of the second baseman with Kourous beating out the throw to help two runners come in and unload the bases.
On the mound, Aiden Kelly continued to roll as he did not allow a hit through the first three innings while fanning four. Two of his strikeouts came back-to-back to end the second as the Laker hurler had found his rhythm.
After a quiet few innings, the Warriors managed to scratch across their first run of the game in the top of the fifth. With two away and a runner at second, a single up the middle helped them plate their first run and end the string of scoreless frames. Kelly came back strong in the sixth, holding ESU scoreless to keep the score 3-1 while striking out two batters to give him eight Ks on the day, tying a season-high.
East Stroudsburg managed to score one run in the bottom of the seventh with a home run to lead off the frame. That homer helped the Warriors move a little closer as the score stood at 3-2 in favor of the Lakers, but the one-run lead didn't last long as Mercyhurst scored a pair in the 8th. Luke Jackson came up with the bases loaded and two away and was able to hit a grounder past the shortstop to bring in a pair and make it a 5-2 game going into the 8th.
East Stroudsburg added on in the eighth as they were able to score two to help make it a one-run game, 5-4. A walk by the Warrior's leadoff batter followed by a subsequent steal of second and a throwing error allowed him to get to third before coming around to score. Their second run came in to score with two away with a base hit through the left side before the Lakers were able to end the threat thanks to a strikeout by Jacob Bazala.
Mercyhurst got the offense going again in the ninth to help give the team some insurance. With a trio of runners on, an error on the infield for ESU allowed a pair of runners to come in. A single to center from Eric Chorba helped extend the lead even further, making it 8-4 going into the bottom of the ninth. The Warriors did manage to score twice, but it proved to be a moot point in the 8-6 final.
Highlights
Aiden Kelly started the game on the mound for the Lakers and he did his part, going six innings while giving up just one run on three hits. He added eight strikeouts to his line to tie a season-high, proving to be a major factor for the Lakers. John Susnik hit his eighth home run of the season, finishing 2-3 at the plate with a walk as well. He was helped by Mitchell Grosch, Chris Juchno, Zachary Kourous, and Luke Jackson with each of them finishing with multiple hits while Jackson led the way with three.
Next Game
Mercyhurst now plays Seton Hill tomorrow in the second round with the two teams set to meet at 2:30 p.m. in Greensburg, Pa. at the Seton Hill Baseball Complex.
