Erie, Pa.- Mercyhurst grabbed their first ever home nonconference Division I win on Tuesday afternoon after they took down Youngstown State 5-1. The Lakers officially split the season series with the Penguins, in large part due to their strong pitching. Sophomore Jaden Fabian had an impressive outing as he tossed five no hit innings to help Mercyhurst take a 1-0 lead through five innings.
 
How it Happened:
Jaden Fabian had four strong innings on the mound to begin the game for Mercyhurst. The Penguins had just one base runner through the first four innings, and it came on an error from Ethan Adams. The Lakers had three baserunners in the first two innings, but they saw both innings end on double plays. They continued to get baserunners in the third after Ranciel Ventura reached base on a walk and then Casey Smith reached on what was supposed to be a sacrifice bunt. The Lakers best scoring opportunity to that point came when Joey Trivisonno walked and the ball got past the catcher. Ventura made a beeline for the plate, but a heads up play by Tyler Heflin held the game at 0-0 after he tagged Ventura out at the plate.
 
Jayden Walker continued his hot streak with a leadoff double in the fourth inning as the Lakers continued to threaten. But once again, they couldn't muster a run out of a runner in scoring position. Youngstown finally got their first runners in scoring position in the fifth inning after a pair of walks. But a nice out by Walker at first base helped to hold the Penguins to nothing. In the bottom of the inning, Casey Smith got into scoring to position to give the Lakers batting leader, Eric Chorba, a chance to give them a lead. In exciting fashion, Chorba finally brought in a run with an RBI single to put Mercyhurst up 1-0. The Penguins finally earned their first hit of the day in the sixth with a Nathan Beckley bunt.
The Lakers loaded the bases back up in the seventh as they were looking to add some insurance. But a lineout from Walker helped to keep the game in reach for the Penguins. Youngstown State had another scoring effort come in the top of eighth, but once again the Lakers strong pitching got themselves out of the jam unscathed. In the bottom part of the inning, Mercyhurst once again loaded up the bases. Chris Juchno added a pair of insurance runs with an RBI single and then Trivisonno and Chorba each on a run to make it 5-0. Nolan Kirsch then closed things out as the Lakers earned their second nonconference victory of the season.
 
Next Game:
The Lakers will be in Teaneck, NJ. to begin their series with FDU on Thursday. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. All of the action can be caught on the NEC Front Row.
  Read Full Article