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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University softball team swept visiting Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division play Saturday afternoon from the SRU Softball Complex.
 
The Rock hung on for a hard fought 3-2 win over the Lakers in Game 1 before scratching out a walk-off 3-2 victory in Game 2.
 
In the opener, Mercyhurst capitalized on a Slippery Rock error to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Rock went quietly in the first two innings before the bats awoke with two outs in the bottom of the third. Sophomore shortstop Katie Kaiser singled to center before sophomore Ashley Samluk walked and the duo advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Freshman catcher McKenzie Popatak drilled the first pitch she saw up the middle for a two-RBI single. Popatak advanced to second on a single from junior Alaynna Beers and scored on a RBI single to right from senior Breanna Tongel, giving The Rock a 3-1 lead after three innings.
 
Senior pitcher Emily Lobdell allowed just one unearned run through a dominant six innings of work. Lobdell ran into trouble in the seventh, however, as the Lakers reeled off three singles to load the bases with no outs. Mercyhurst scored on a RBI groundout, but Lobdell clamped down to retire the next two batters and escape with the 3-2 victory.
 
Popatak went 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs to lead the Slippery Rock offense in Game 1. Tongel was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a walk, while Kaiser went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
 
Lobdell improved to 7-5 with a victory in her eighth complete game of the season. She allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and three strikeouts in seven innings.
 
In the nightcap, the Lakers wasted little time getting their offense going. Mercyhurst loaded the bases with no outs after three straight singles to open the second inning. Freshman pitcher Carly DeRose recorded a strikeout before Milliman smacked a two-RBI single to right center to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead.
 
The Rock answered with a run in the bottom of the second as DeRose clamped down on the Lakers' offense. Freshman Caitlin Baxter tied the game at 2-2 with a sharp RBI single into left field in the bottom of the fourth.
 
Both offenses stalled as the game went into extra innings. Samluk answered the call for Slippery Rock with a hard-hit double into the left center gap to start the eighth inning. After advancing to third on a groundout, Beers drove in the game-winning run with a walk-off RBI single to right field.
 
DeRose turned in a strong performance, allowing just two runs on seven hits over eight innings. The complete game victory improved DeRose's record to 4-7 this spring.
 
Beers went 2-for-4 with two runs and a RBI to pace The Rock's offense in Game 2. Samluk went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Baxter went 1-for-3 with a RBI.
 
The sweep improved SRU's record to 11-14 overall and 7-5 in PSAC-West action, while Mercyhurst fell to 11-17 overall and 5-7 in conference play.
 
Slippery Rock returns to PSAC-West action Sunday against Gannon. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the SRU Softball Complex. Sunday's contest will serve as The Rock's Senior Day, as The Rock's six seniors will be honored prior to the games.