Mercyhurst Athletics

Caldwell 6, Mercyhurst 4
Mercyhurst 4, Caldwell 3

FLEMINGTON, N.J. -- Mercyhurst split a doubleheader against Caldwell College at the Diamond Nation Baseball Training Complex, falling in the first game 6-4 before taking the nightcap, 4-3.

The Lakers improve to 5-6 on the year and take on Caldwell College again tomorrow, Sunday, March 7, in a single nine-inning contest.

In the first half of the twinbill today, Mercyhurst was unable to hold a 4-0 lead as the home team rallied for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete the come-from behind victory.

In the second contest, it was the Lakers who rallied for a come-from-behind victory, picking up one run in the fourth and and three in the fifth.

Sophomore Ethan Santora led the Lakers with a 5-for-7 performance in the doubleheader, driving in two runs.  

Kevin McCall added a 3-for-4 effort with a run scored and two RBI in the first game, with Jonathan Keppler, Craig Denman and Trey Bennett providing the rest of the Lakers hits.

Starter Nick Gillung went five scoreless innings, striking out three. T.J. Tavender gave up four runs on one hit in 1 1/3 innings while Jeremy Cressley took the loss, allowing two earned runs on one hit in 2/3 innings.

In the second contest, Denman went 1-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI while Gray added a 1-for-3 effort and a run scored while also earning his first save of the season, going 1 1/3 innings.

Eric Aschley improved to 1-1 on the year after going 1 2/3 innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits.  Starter Jordan Backes threw four complete frames, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits while striking out four.