Johnstown, Pa. - Mercyhurst baseball went on the road on Sunday for two games with the Mountain Cats, coming away with a pair of victories. The Lakers used a nine-run outburst in the seventh of game one to grab a 16-0 win before having to battle back in nine innings in game two to secure the 9-6.

How it Happened

The Lakers were able to get out to a fast start in the first game with four runs in the first inning. A double off the bat of Chris Juchno got things started as he banged one off the right field wall to make it 2-0. After that, a sacrifice fly from Mitchell Grosch helped add on, 3-0, with a balk to follow for one more run. The team then added one run in the third. A double from Juchno led the off the inning with the outfielder able to come around and score thanks to a an error along the infield, 5-0. They then added two more to their tally in the fifth as Grosch lined one through the left side to score the first run before a sacrifice fly from John Susnik made it 7-0.

Mercyhurst then added on in big way in their half of the seventh, scoring nine runs in the frame. The team ended up with nine hits in the frame with two going for extra bases with doubles from both Juchno and Susnik with the extra bagger for Juchno being his fourth double of the game. That proved to be more than enough run support for the Laker hurler, Aiden Kelly who gave up just three hits in the complete game shutout in the route.

Game two began with Juchno hitting his fifth double of the doubleheader to help the Lakers take the lead, 1-0, before the Mountain Cats responded with one run in the bottom half of the frame to tie things up. Mercyhurst did not wait around all too long to reclaim the lead as they scored three in the second to go up 4-1. A one-out double from Jack Malec got things started with a double down the right field line before a walk gave the Lakers runners at first and second. They both came in to score as the lead-off hitter Matt Christopher sent one over the centerfield wall to make it a 4-1 game.

UPJ managed to battle back with one run in their hand of the fourth with two more runs in the fifth, making it 5-4 in favor of the Lakers. It was a two-run home run for the Mountain Cats that helped them close the gap with the ball going over the right field wall before the end of the fifth. They then managed to tie things in the bottom of the seventh to send the series finale to extra innings. After the Lakers added one run in the top of the sixth, Pitt-Johnstown plated two with a single to center scoring the first run before a bases loaded walk tied things, 6-6.

After a scoreless eighth, Mercyhurst was able to reclaim the lead with three runs in the frame. With one away and the infield in, Juchno hit a grounder to first who then threw to home to try and cut down Zachary Kourous, but the throw cut not be held onto. That was followed by a single to right from Mitchell Grosch that made it a two-run lead for the Lakers before the final tally came across on a bases loaded walk, 9-6. After giving up the pair of runs in the seventh, Mercyhurst's reliever, Jacob Bazala did not allow the game to go any further as he managed to sit down the side in order with a pair of punch outs to end the game and earn the Lakers the series win,

Highlights

Chris Juchno led the way on offense with five hits on the day, each of which we doubles while driving in three runs and scoring six times himself. He finished game one with four doubles to make him the first Laker over the last decade to have four or more two-baggers in a single game. Ranciel Ventura tied Juchno in hits on the day with his handful, having a trio of those base knocks in game two for a new season-high. On the mound, Aiden Kelly dominated in game one with his second complete game shutout of the year, striking out four and giving up three hits.

Next Game

Mercyhurst does not have to wait around all too long to get back on the diamond as the team is set to go to Painesville, Oh. for two games on Tuesday, April 23rd, before seeing California (Pa.) on the road on Friday while returning home to host the Vulcans the following day for the Laker's senior day.