ERIE, Pa. – Despite a combined five RBI from senior catcher
Matt Eperesi (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Mars), the IUP baseball team was swept by No. 6 Mercyhurst in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West opener on Friday losing 9-4 and 7-4 at Phillip D. Hirtzel Field.
With the losses, the Crimson Hawks fall to 3-11 overall and 0-2 in PSAC play. Meanwhile, the Lakers improve to 10-1 overall behind a 2-0 mark in league play.
In game one, Eperesi was 1-for-2 with an RBI double. In game two he hit a three-run home run in his only at-bat.
Mercyhurst jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in game on a Chris Gonzalez home run and an RBI single in the bottom of the first. IUP then took a 3-2 lead in the top of the second on an RBI groundout from
Ted DeSanti (Erie, Pa./Erie Cathedral Prep). Eperesi then drove in two with a double to right center. After the Lakers tied the game in the third, they then extended the lead to 8-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth before adding a run in the sixth.
Third baseman
Dan Sepic (York, Pa./Central York) finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk while designated hitter
Wes Carson (Woodstock, Md./Marriots Ridge) was 1-for-2 with a run and a walk. Eperesi also drew a walk. Starting pitcher
Jeff Allen (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg Area) took the loss after tossing 3.1 innings while striking out two and yielding five hits.
In game two, the Lakers jumped out to a 5-0 lead through four innings, highlighted by a Gonzalez two-run home run. The Crimson Hawks got on the board on a
Tyler Adams (Vinco, Pa./Central Cambria) solo home run to center in the top of the fifth to make it 5-1. IUP then cut the lead to 5-4 in the top of the sixth. After
Scott Hess (Erie, Pa./Erie Cathedral Prep) and Carson both reached on errors, Eperesi launched a three-run home run to left to pull to within one. Mercyhurst then added two insurance runs in the bottom half of the inning to secure the win.
Eperesi was 1-for-1 with three RBI while Adams was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. DeSanti tallied a multi-hit game as he finished 2-for-3. Crimson Hawks starting pitcher
Colin Claus (Oakdale, Pa./West Allegheny) suffered the loss after pitching 3.1 innings and allowing four earned runs.
Up Next
IUP wraps up its four-game series with Mercyhurst tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP baseball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPbaseball.
