Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Mercyhurst baseball team continued their season, going down south to Nashville to play a doubleheader against the Murray State Racers. The Lakers lost 10-2 in game one, and lost 6-5 in a hard fought game two.
 
Game One
Mercyhurst faced Murray State in a challenging game, ultimately falling short with a final score of 10-2.
 
In the third inning, the Racers took a 1-0 lead with a homerun to center field. The Lakers remained scoreless, and the inning ended with Murray State ahead 1-0.
 
The fourth inning saw Murray State extend its lead to 4-0. Mercyhurst was unable to respond in their half of the inning.
 
The Lakers got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Riley Ames walked, and Dana Williams was hit by a pitch, advancing Ames to second. Logan Koslin followed with a single up the middle, scoring Ames and reducing the deficit to 4-1. The inning concluded with Murray State maintaining a 4-1 lead.
 
Murray State added another run in the sixth inning with a solo homer to left field, making the score 5-1.
 
Mercyhurst scored again in the seventh inning. Ames reached first on a catcher's error and advanced to third, scoring on Williams' ground out to shortstop. However, the Racers responded with a five-run inning, capitalized by walks and a two-RBI single, widening the gap to 10-2.
 
The final score was 10-2 in favor of Murray State.
 
Noah Ehlers pitched 3.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits with three walks and two hit batters while recording one strikeout. Zac Evenson contributed 3 innings of relief, striking out four batters but conceding four earned runs on three hits, including a home run. Heath Betza faced five batters, allowing two earned runs on one hit and three walks. Carson Phillips closed the game with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, inducing three groundouts and one strikeout without allowing a hit.
 
Williams recorded six assists, showcasing his defensive contributions. Koslin added a hit and an RBI, contributing to the team's offensive efforts. Luke Babcock finished with two hits, including a double, displaying his ability to reach base effectively. Ames scored two runs, providing a significant impact on the scoreboard.
 
Game Two
Mercyhurst began the game with Dana Williams singling through the right side and advancing to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Luke Babcock than tripled to right field, driving in Williams for the first run. The inning concluded with the Lakers tied with Murray State at 1-1 after the first inning.
 
In the second inning, Zach Black homered to left field, giving Mercyhurst a brief lead. Murray State responded in their half with a double and an RBI double from leveling the score at 2-2.
 
The fourth inning saw the Lakers regain momentum. Mike Samarin started with a single, and with bases loaded, Williams delivered a two-RBI single, bringing home Samarin and Ray Altmeyer. This inning ended with Mercyhurst tying the game at 4-4.
 
Mercyhurst took the lead again in the fifth when Jayden Walker advanced to third on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Samarin. This left Mercyhurst ahead 5-4.
 
In the sixth inning, Murray State responded with back-to-back solo home runs, pushing them ahead 6-5.
 
The game concluded with Murray State maintaining their lead, resulting in a final score of 6-5.
 
Nolan Kirsch started the game for Mercyhurst, pitching 5 innings while allowing 8 hits and 4 earned runs. He struck out 2 batters and walked 1, throwing 86 pitches with 55 strikes. Nate Vargo came in as relief, pitching one inning in which he allowed 2 hits and 2 earned runs, both of which were home runs. Vargo struck out one and issued two walks during his appearance.
 
Williams recorded three hits and drove in two runs, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Black hit a home run and added another run batted in, showcasing power at the plate. Babcock tripled and collected an RBI, adding depth to the lineup's production. Ranciel Ventura was a defensive asset with five assists, solidifying the team's infield performance.
 
The next challenge for the Lakers is set for Sunday, March 1, when it faces Murray State at 1 p.m. CT at Jackson Field in Nashville, Tennessee.