Erie, Pa.- Mercyhurst finally made their way to Erie for their first ever home Division I series against Coppin State. The Lakers took the first game of their doubleheader in 1-0 defensive battle and then they dropped game two by a score of 3-2. The game on Sunday will now determine the winner of the series.


 
How it Happened:
Game One:
In game one, both teams felt the cold as neither recorded a hit until the third inning. Coppin State's Jayden Asencio earned the first hit of the day, but three straight outs left him on base. In the bottom portion of the inning, Chris Juchno hit his first triple of the season, and he became the first Laker to make into scoring position in the game. Eric Chorba drove him in as he grounded out to shortshop. The game continued to be a defensive battle from there as both starting pitchers went 6.0 innings. Aidan Kelly struck out four batters and allowed just two hits during his outing. He was relieved by Jacob Bazala, who struck out an astounding seven batters while allowing just one hit. Bazala struck out five straight at one point and finished off game one with a strikeout as he sat down Daniel Moore to close the match and earn a save in the 1-0 win. The win also served as Kelly's first win of the season.


 
Game Two:
The second match of the day opened in much more exciting fashion as the teams looked to beat the darkness that was setting in. Daniel Thomas took the mound for Mercyhurst to open the game and went three up three down to begin the first. In the bottom half of the frame, the Lakers loaded the bases with no outs, but three straight strikeouts from Luke Corcoran ended the inning. Corcoran came into in relief of Michael Matthews. The Lakers were able to get on the board first in the bottom of the second after Casey Smith drove in Landon DiBeradin to give them a 1-0 edge. But Corcoran got Ranciel Ventura to ground out before any more damage could be done. The third inning featured just two hits, with both coming from the Lakers. Mercyhurst had two runners in scoring position, but DiBeradin lined out to right field to shut down the scoring threat.
 
Coppin State finally got on the board for the first time on the day after Indy Anderson drove in Gavin Grutzmacher. Acensio then put the Eagles up 3-1 with a two RBI single that brought in Anderson and Moore. The next score didn't come until the eighth inning as both sides reverted to game one form and shut the other side down for nearly four innings of play. The last run of the game came on single from Juchno, who drove in Chandler Powell. Junchno then stole second and advanced to third on an error to give Mercyhurst the tying run on third base. But Ventura popped up to second base to close the inning. Justin Ritz earned a save in the ninth inning after he sat the Lakers down in order.
 
Next Game:
Mercyhurst and Coppin State will close out the three-game series on Sunday at noon. All the action can be caught on the NEC Front Row.
 
 
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