ERIE, Pa. — Mercyhurst fell to Central Connecticut State in a tightly contested game, 8-7, on Saturday. The Lakers scored three runs in the first inning but were ultimately overtaken by Central Connecticut State's late surge, including a three-run eighth inning.
Mercyhurst opened the game with a strong first inning.
Jayden Walker singled, and following hits by
Zachary Kourous and
Mike Samarin, the Lakers scored three runs. Samarin's single drove in both Walker and Kourous, while a groundout by
Logan Koslin allowed
Luke Babcock to score. CCSU. responded with a run, but Mercyhurst led 3-1 after the first inning.
In the second,
Zach Black reached on a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by
Ranciel Ventura, extending the lead to 4-1. The Blue Devils were held scoreless, maintaining the Lakers' advantage.
The fifth inning saw CCSU cut into the lead with a two-run homer, bringing the score to 4-3. The Lakers answered back with runs from Babcock and Samarin, driven in by Samarin's double and a single by
Zac Evenson, increasing the lead to 6-3.
CCSU added another run in the sixth inning, but an error allowed
Darek Staudt to score for the Lakers, making it 7-4.
A pivotal eighth inning saw Central Conn. St. tie the game with a three-run homer after an error put runners on base. The score was evened at 7-7.
Neither team scored in the ninth, sending the game into extra innings. In the tenth, Central Conn. St. scored the decisive run on a wild pitch, securing an 8-7 victory over the Lakers.
Final score: Central Conn. St. 8, Mercyhurst 7.
Nate Vargo pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits, with four strikeouts and no walks, throwing 75 pitches with 51 strikes.
Nolan Kirsch also pitched five innings but gave up four earned runs on six hits, recording two strikeouts and a walk, with two wild pitches over 75 pitches, 53 of which were strikes. Kirsch was charged with the loss, bringing his season record to 2-7.
Luke Babcock drew three walks and scored two runs, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output.
Mike Samarin excelled with two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs while also scoring once.
Darek Staudt reached base three times after being hit by a pitch twice and scored a run while also stealing a base.
Nate Vargo pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits, while recording four strikeouts without issuing a walk.
Mercyhurst holds a record of 13-29 with a 12-17 mark in the NEC. CCSU has a record of 17-23 and is 13-16 in the NEC.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will face Central Connecticut State at 12 p.m. ET Sunday, May 10. The game will take place at Mercyhurst Baseball Field in Erie, Pennsylvania.
