ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst softball team hosted FDU for the first time this afternoon. In game one, the Knights pulled away in the second frame and led for the remainder of the game. The final was 7-3. The second game was nothing like the first. The Lakers put up nine runs in the second inning and recorded 14 hits in an electric 16-2 win. Gabriella DeLuca recorded a career-high six RBIs and Alexa North recorded three strikeouts and zero walks from the circle. This was the second 16-run win for the Lakers in just five days. 
 
FDU (10-27, 3-10 NEC) took an early lead in the first inning with a pair of RBI doubles. Mercyhurst (6-22, 5-8 NEC) was unable to score in their half as the Knights held them off.
 
In the second frame, FDU extended its lead to six with a quartet of runs. This came from an RBI single and a three-run home run to left center field. The Lakers responded in the bottom of the second as Ava Zubovic scored on a double by Mackenzie Gillis. The score was now 6-1. 
 
The fifth inning saw the Knights add an additional run. MU narrowed the gap in the bottom of the fifth. Alexandra Acosta-Reyes doubled and scored on a double by Bailey Cannon, who was then driven in by a single from Braylynn Kelly. FDU did not score any further runs and their defense was holding up. The Lakers were unable to close the gap in the bottom of the seventh, despite bringing in a pinch runner, and dropped game one, 7-3. 
 
Mercyhurst (7-22, 6-8 NEC) took an early lead in the first inning of the second game as DeLuca singled to right field, driving in Cannon. In the second frame, the Lakers extended their lead with a two-RBI triple from Karlie Kasten, bringing home Brynna King and Natasha McLellan-Tam. The inning concluded with the Lakers up, 3-1. 
 
The third inning saw Mercyhurst's offense explode with eight runs. DeLuca doubled, allowing Cannon to advance to third. McLellan-Tam's single further contributed to the scoring, and a series of singles and errors from FDU (10-28, 3-11 NEC) bolstered the Lakers' lead. By the end of the inning, Lakers were up, 12-2.
 
MU continued their dominant performance in the fourth stanza. DeLuca's three-RBI double was a highlight, increasing the lead. At the end of the inning, the Lakers held a commanding advantage, 16-2. DeLuca had now recorded a career-high six RBIs. 
 
The rest of the game was stagnant. Both teams used pinch hitters and runners, but the score remained the same. Mercyhurst went on to win game two, 16-2. 
 
Game three will take place at noon tomorrow. Viewers can find the games streamed on the NEC Front Row.