NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. — Mercyhurst fell to Niagara in a 7-5 loss on Tuesday. The Lakers hit two home runs, but a four-run fourth inning by Niagara proved decisive.
Mercyhurst faced Niagara in a closely contested matchup. The action picked up in the third inning when
Zach Black singled to center field, setting the stage for
Darek Staudt, who homered to left field, bringing in two runs and giving the Lakers a 2-1 lead. Niagara responded in the bottom of the inning with a single and followed by an RBI double that tied the game at 2-2.
In the fourth inning,
Jayden Walker walked and advanced to second on a
Parker Zeiser walk before
Zach Black doubled to left field, allowing Walker to score and giving Mercyhurst a brief 3-2 lead. However, Niagara capitalized on a fielding error and hit a three-run homer, pushing Niagara ahead 6-3 by the end of the fourth.
The Lakers remained scoreless through the fifth and sixth innings, despite
Zachary Kourous reaching third on a throwing error in the fifth. Niagara also went scoreless in these innings, maintaining their lead.
In the seventh inning, Niagara hit a solo home run to extend their lead to 7-3. Mercyhurst narrowed the gap in the eighth when
Jayden Walker singled through the right side and
Zach Black hit a two-run homer to left field, reducing the deficit to 7-5.
The ninth inning saw the Lakers's
Logan Koslin and
Ranciel Ventura both strike out before
Zachary Kourous reached on a fielding error, but Mercyhurst couldn't capitalize further. Niagara held onto its lead, securing a 7-5 victory over the Lakers.
Cody Smith started the game on the mound for Mercyhurst, pitching two innings while allowing one earned run on one hit, with three walks and two strikeouts.
Heath Betza followed with 1.1 innings, during which he gave up five earned runs on three hits, including a home run.
Zac Evenson relieved Betza, pitching 2.2 innings and conceded three hits, while walking one and striking out one.
Mitch Harder pitched one inning, allowing one earned run on two hits, one of which was a home run.
Anthony Krause concluded the game with one inning pitched, throwing 17 pitches with nine strikes.
Zach Black powered the Lakers with a standout performance, hitting a home run and double while driving in three runs.
Jayden Walker contributed significantly by scoring two runs and drawing a walk.
Darek Staudt added to the offensive effort with a home run, collecting two RBIs and one hit.
Logan Koslin showcased his speed on the bases, recording a stolen base during the game.
Mercyhurst holds an overall record of 15-30 and is 13-17 in the NEC. Niagara has a record of 25-17-1 and is 19-8 in the MAAC.
In their next game, the Lakers will head to Staten Island, New York, to face Wagner on Thursday, May 14 at 3 p.m. ET.
