EASTON, Mass. — The Mercyhurst baseball team fell to Stonehill 9-7 on Saturday. Despite a four-run fifth inning, the Lakers could not hold off the Skyhawks, who scored four runs in the final two innings to secure the win.

Mercyhurst took an early lead in the fourth inning when Riley Ames singled and eventually scored on a single by Luke Babcock, making it 1-0. 

The fifth inning saw the Lakers capitalize on two errors by Stonehill, with Ranciel Ventura reaching and scoring the first run. Dana Williams singled and scored, and Logan Koslin's single brought in John Chalus. Zachary Kourous added another RBI with a single, and Jayden Walker's sacrifice fly scored the fourth run of the inning, tying the game at 5-5.

In the sixth, Ventura drew a walk and scored when Williams hit a two-run homer to left field, putting the Lakers ahead 7-5.

Stonehill tied the game in the eighth with a two-run homer, making it 7-7.

In the ninth inning, Stonehill took the lead with a two-run homer, resulting in a 9-7 final score in favor of the Skyhawks.

Nate Vargo pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 10 hits and five earned runs while striking out six batters without issuing a walk. Noah Ehlers contributed with 1.2 innings, conceding four hits and two earned runs, including a home run, while recording one strikeout and two walks. Mitch Harder faced five batters, giving up a home run and two earned runs 0.2 innings pitched, with two walks allowed. Overall, Mercyhurst's pitchers combined for nine strikeouts, allowing a total of 15 hits and four walks.

Dana Williams led the team with a home run, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Ventura crossed the plate twice, contributing to the team's scoring efforts. Koslin added one hit and one RBI, scoring one of the team's runs. Kourous recorded two hits and one RBI, showing consistency at the plate.