Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ERIE, PA - The Crimson Hawks held a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning of game one but Mercyhurst exploded for 11 runs over the next two innings to earn a 12-6 comeback win before the Lakers won 12-2 in game two as IUP dropped both ends of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division baseball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon in Erie.

The pair of losses came one day after the two teams split as IUP moves to 14-15-1 and 2-6 in the division.

IUP jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with back-to-back doubles by Troy Foster (Shamong, NJ/Seneca) and Dylan Songer (Baden/North Allegheny), as Robbie Zinsmeister (Hatfield/North Penn) and Foster crossed the plate.

Mercyhurst got one back in the bottom half with an RBI groundout until another double by Foster in the third scored Aaron Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) to put the Crimson Hawks up 3-1.

IUP put together a two-out rally in the fourth, as Brett Quiggle (Weedville/St. Marys) walked and advanced to second on a bunt single by Cory Sawka (Uniontown/Uniontown). Zinsmeister singled through the left side to load the bases before a single to right center by Lupia scored Quiggle and Sawka to put the Crimson Hawks on top 5-1.

The Lakers (21-8, 5-3) then put together a six run bottom half, getting three hits and capitalizing on an error and three wild pitches to take a 7-5 lead.

Another pair of back-to-back doubles from Songer and Ryan Uhl (St. Marys/St. Marys) to lead off IUP's fifth made it a 7-6 game, but Mercyhurst picked up five more runs in its half, including a grand slam, to close out the scoring.

Craig Hibell (New Bethlehem/Redbank Valley) got the start on the hill for IUP, giving up a run on four hits through the first three innings before Mercyhurst's big fourth inning. Foster went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI while Songer also had two doubles, going 2-for-4.

IUP again held a fourth inning lead in game two, going up 2-1 after a two-run homer by Songer in the third inning. The Lakers then came back with a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game then took a one-run lead with an RBI single in the fifth.

Mercyhurst then put together another big inning in the sixth, scoring nine runs on nine hits, including three doubles, to take a 12-2 lead, closing out IUP in the seventh for the win.

IUP starter Matt Szukics (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley) went five innings and started the sixth, striking out six and giving up five earned runs in the loss. The Crimson Hawks collected six hits in the game with Quiggle going 2-for-3.

The Crimson Hawks are back in action next weekend with a divisional matchup with Gannon at home on Friday and on the road on Saturday. First pitch for both days is set for 1:00 p.m.