Mercyhurst scores 12 as Devils Drop Season Opener

Mercyhurst College scored nine runs in the first four innings as they went on to rout the University of the Sciences baseball team 12-1 in the Devils season opener Saturday in Lantana, Florida.

Mercyhurst records their tenth win of the season (10-2).  The Devils are 0-1.

The Lakers scored four times in the first inning off starter and losing pitcher Greg Nealis (0-1) who faced just seven batters in the inning before giving way to Michael Croft.  Croft gave up five runs over the next three innings as MC jumped out to a 9-0 lead before the Devils got on the board in the top half of the eighth.  Nick Szalejko and Will Rebman walked walked to start the inning and a fielders choice moved Szalejko to third.  He came in to score on a passed ball with what would be Sciences' only run.

Mercyhurst added three more runs off Croft in the bottom of the eighth to round out the scoring and make the final margin 12-1.  Eric Aschley got the win for the Lakers while Nico Baldelli drove in three runs for the victors.  Kyle Davis had two of Sciences' six hits in the game.

The Devisl will face Bloomfield college in game two of their Florida trip on Sunday, March 6, 2011.