JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Redshirt freshman Carter Chasanov (Magnolia, Del./Polytech) drove in a career-high five runs and senior Ashton Raines (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven) tossed a complete-game two-hit shutout to lift the Bloomsburg University baseball team to a 12-0 seven-inning victory over #21 Mercyhurst University on Wednesday evening to open the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament at Point Stadium. With the win, the Huskies improved to 32-14 overall while the Lakers dropped to 29-12 on the year.

The victory over Mercyhurst marks the first time the Huskies defeated the Lakers since an 11-5 victory during the 1996 season. Mercyhurst had won four straight meetings between the two schools dating back to Bloomsburg's last win 23 years ago.

Bloomsburg advances in the winner's bracket and will play the winner of the Millersville-Seton Hill game on Thursday evening, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. Mercyhurst, meanwhile, will play the loser of the Millersville-Seton Hill game at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The Huskies wasted little time jumping on Mercyhurst starter Christian Young as they scored five runs on four hits in the top of the first inning to take a 5-0 advantage. Junior Andrew Holmes (Egg Harbor Township, N.J./Egg Harbor Township) started the frame with a double to right center which was followed by a five-pitch walk to sophomore Jared Burcin (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty). Senior Ryan Shiffer (Toms River, N.J./Toms River South) then dropped a beautiful bunt down the third-base line and beat the throw at first to load the bases with nobody out. After Young retired junior Nate Krizan (Montoursville, Pa./Home School) for the first out of the inning, sophomore Kyle OFier (Pittston Township, Pa./Pittston Area) drew a walk to plate the first run of the inning. Sophomore Ben Newbert (Bala Cynwyd, Pa./Harriton) followed with a two-run double high off the screen in left field to plate both Burcin and Shiffer to push the advantage to 3-0. Chasanov then finished off the scoring in the inning with a two-run single back up the middle to score OFier and Newbert.

All told, the Huskies sent ten batters to the plate in the top of the first and had four hits and three walks as Young threw 44 first-inning pitches for the Lakers.

The run support was more than enough for Raines who allowed only two hits the entire game - a one-out double by Jack Elliott in the bottom of the first and a leadoff double by Elliott in the bottom of the seventh. Those, in fact, were the only two runners to reach base against the senior righthander who improved to 7-2 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.87. It was his third shutout of the season and fourth of his career - both of which have tied school records.

Bloomsburg tacked on a pair of runs against Mercyhurst reliever Chad Cwik in the top of the third. OFier led off with an infield single and then advanced to third on a hit by Newbert back up the middle. Chasanov followed with a sacrifice fly to right to plate OFier for a 6-0 margin. Two batters later, after junior Cole Swiger (Maple Glen, Pa./Upper Dublin) reached on a fielder's choice, sophomore Jake Reed (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) doubled off the wall in left to score Swiger from first for a 7-0 advantage.

The Huskies were not done, however, as they added four more runs in the top of the fourth to take an 11-0 lead. OFier plated the first run with an RBI single and, two batters later, Chasanov drove home a pair of runs with a single back up the middle. Swiger followed with a run-scoring single to left for the final run of the inning.

Bloomsburg's final run came in the top of the seventh when Burcin doubled to the gap in right center to score Reed, who had reached on an error to lead off the inning and then stole second to get into scoring position with one out.

Raines needed only 74 pitches - 53 of which were strikes - to mow down the Lakers. He struck out four, moving him to within seven of reaching 200 strikeouts for his collegiate career.

Young dropped to 5-3 on the season for Mercyhurst as he lasted only the first inning and allowed five runs on four hits and three walks. Cwik pitched four innings in relief and gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits while Chris Smith tossed the final two innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits.

All nine starters for the Huskies had at least one hit with Chasanov going 3-for-3 with five RBI. OFier went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI while Newbert went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of runs batted in. Eight of the nine starters also scored at least one run with, ironically, Chasanov being the only Bloomsburg player in the lineup not to cross home plate on the night.

Bloomsburg will look to keep the momentum in its favor on Thursday night, May 9, when it takes on the winner of the Millersville-Seton Hill contest. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Point Stadium.