April 14, 2007

MIDLAND - The Lake Superior State softball team lost 7-0 and 7-6 to Mercyhurst in its official home opener, which had to be moved to Midland due to the five inches of snow that fell in Sault Ste. Marie this week.

Sunday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games against Gannon will also be played in Midland beginning at 1 p.m. LSSU and Gannon will square off on Northwood University's practice diamond.

Mercyhurst's Jen Feret and Melissa Rizzo combined to hit five home runs during Saturday's twinbill. LSSU (5-21 overall, 0-6 GLIAC) rallied back from a 6-0 deficit to tie the nightcap, 6-6, but MC won the game on a sixth-inning solo home run by Jessica McNurlen.

Lake Superior State freshman Nicole Dunford hit a three-run blast during the top half of the sixth inning to tie the contest. She was 2-for-3 for the game and had the Lakers' only hit in Game 1. She has five home runs for the season.

April Brandt, Lacey Knoop, Lisa Dahm and Nikki Christensen added singles in Game 2.

Christensen pitched a nine-hitter in taking the loss. She gave up four earned runs, and totaled two walks and one strikeout.

Mercyhurst (16-14 overall, 6-3 GLIAC) out-hit LSSU 8-1 in the opener. LSSU pitcher Lisa Dahm gave up five earned runs on one walk and one strikeout.

LSSU assistant coach Karen Sutton-Boger took the helm for the Lakers and was assisted by coach Terry Samuels. Head coach Don Myers is missing this weekend's series in order to recover from emergency surgery. He was released from the hospital on Friday.