Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Erie, PA- After sweeping UPJ yesterday, the Lakers welcomed IUP for an afternoon doubleheader. Dropping two games earlier this season, the Lakers fought hard to earn game one in extra innings, 8-7 but dropped a close 2nd game 16-12.  

How it Happened 

Game One 

The Crimson Hawks jumped on the Lakers in the first inning, scoring 4 quick runs to take an early lead. The Lakers found the scoreboard themselves in the bottom of the first to bring the deficit to 3, 4-1. Madison Fry-Fachet, Kacie Irwin, and Eliza Reynolds all singled in the inning.  

Bailey Cannon came into the game in relief and quieted the IUP bats, which allowed the Lakers to close the gap even more in the 3rd inning. Brianne Egelston connected with a solo shot to right field, which cut the lead in half. Marisa Cartellone then singled and was driven in by Neena Pietropaolo to make the score 4-3.  

IUP was able to add a run in the 5th to earn some insurance. They separated themselves even more in the 6th and took a 7-3 lead. Mercyhurst continued to fight and added another run in the 6th thanks to a sac fly from Brianne Egelston.  

As the Lakers came to the plate in the bottom half of the 7th, they loaded the bases with two outs as Eliza Reynolds stepped in. Battling with two strikes, Reynolds hit a 3RBI double off the centerfield wall to send the game to extra innings.  

Benefiting from a couple of walks, Bailey Cannon walked it off in the bottom of the 8th inning, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field to secure the 8-7 win.  

Four Lakers recorded 3 hits in the win (Madison Fry-Fachet, Kacie Irwin, Eliza Reynolds, and Neena Pietropaolo).  

Brianne Egelston homered and doubled in the victory.  

Game Two 

The Laker offense has been scolding hot lately and didn't show any signs of cooling off to start the second game. The Mercyhurst offense put up four runs in the 1st inning as Kacie Irwin tripled just before Eliza Reynolds doubled and Bailey Cannon homered.  

The four-run lead was cut in half in the 2nd inning as IUP pushed a couple of runs across. The Laker offense responded once again in the bottom half with three more runs which were generated by singles from Eliza Reynolds, Kacie Irwin, and Bailey Cannon.  

Great situational hitting in the 3rd allowed Mercyhurst to extend the lead to 7. IUP stormed all the way back in the 4th, pushing across 6 runs on 4 hits to pull within one. 

Brianne Egelston and Marisa Cartellone answered right back with back-to-back singles in the fourth to help the Lakers regain some breathing room heading into the 5th, as Madison Fry-Fachet and Kacie Irwin connected with RBI singles to make the score 12-8.  

IUP had one last surge in them, as they went on a run in the 7th to gain the lead and earn the late game win, 16-12. 

As a team, the Lakers smacked 16 hits. Kacie Irwin and Neena Pietropaolo each had three in the win. Bailey Cannon went 2-5 with 3 RBIs and a homer.  

Up Next 

Mercyhurst will travel to Edinboro University on Tuesday, April 23rd, for a mid-week doubleheader scheduled for 2:30 PM. They will then head to Clarion later in the week.