Box Score ERIE, Pa. — Mercyhurst fell to Central Michigan in a high-scoring contest with a final score of 18-14 on Tuesday. Despite the loss, the Lakers managed two home runs and drew 20 walks, while Central Michigan capitalized with a six-run ninth inning.

Mercyhurst and Central Michigan remained scoreless in the first inning. In the second inning, Mike Samarin hit a solo home run to right field to tie the game at 1-1.

The fifth inning saw an offensive surge from both teams. The Lakers scored five runs with Zachary Kourous and Logan Koslin drawing walks, followed by a sacrifice fly by Luke Babcock that brought in Koslin. Additional runs were scored through a series of walks and a wild pitch. The inning concluded with the Lakers trailing 9-6.

Mercyhurst added three runs in the sixth with Jayden Walker's triple driving in Riley Ames and Kourous. Walker later scored on a passed ball, tying the game at 9-9.

In the seventh, the Lakers capitalized on errors and passed balls to score four runs. Ames, Walker, Babcock, and Samarin all scored, pushing Mercyhurst ahead 13-9.

Ames hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, extending the lead to 14-9. Central Michigan responded with three runs, narrowing the gap to 14-12.

In the ninth inning, Central Michigan rallied, scoring six runs to take an 18-14 lead. Mercyhurst could not respond in the bottom half, ending the game with a final score of 18-14 in favor of Central Michigan.

Andrew Malec delivered a solid performance for the Lakers, pitching four innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five batters while issuing only one walk. Peyton Weigand faced challenges in relief, conceding seven earned runs on two hits and three walks in 0.2 innings. Noah Ehlers contributed 2.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits, with three strikeouts. Morgan Shanaman, Nolan Kirsch, Anthony Krause, and Nate Vargo also saw time on the mound, with Kirsch and Krause each allowing multiple earned runs in their appearances.

Ames led the team with three runs, three hits, and two stolen bases, including a home run that boosted his OPS to 2.067. Walker contributed three runs and two RBIs, highlighted by a triple, and drew a walk. Samarin showcased power with a home run, tallying two runs and two RBIs while also drawing three walks. Malec pitched four innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out five, maintaining a WHIP of 1.25 over 63 pitches.

Looking ahead, the Lakers will host Delaware State at 3 p.m. Friday, March 13 at Mercyhurst Baseball Field in Erie, Pennsylvania.