AVON, Ohio - The Notre Dame College baseball team hosted the No. 1 team in the nation on Tuesday afternoon as Mercyhurst traveled to Sprenger Stadium to take on the Falcons. 

The Lakers looked to be in control after taking a 3-0 lead after the first inning, but NDC had other things in mind. The Falcons recorded 11 hits throughout the game and tied the game up 3-3 after a two-run shot by leadoff hitter Danny Beaver. 

Ultimately, Mercyhurst won 8-3 with scoring five runs in the final three innings to earn their 23rd victory of the season. 

"We stayed with them and had a chance to take a lead in the second inning with two guys in scoring position, but then we swing at bad pitches and strike out," said head coach Len Barker, "To beat a team like that you have to take advantage in those situations. That changes the whole game because we came back to tie the game later and it would've given us a lead to work with."

Overall Barker was happy with how his team performed against the nation's leaders, including starting pitcher Kenny Pierson who recovered well after giving up three runs in the first innings. Pierson ended the game with four strikeouts. 

"He pitched pretty well," Barker said. "He recovered after the first inning and shut them down to keep us in the game. He made one off pitch and the guy got it to catch the wind and take it out. On a normal day, that wasn't going out." 

Barker was referring to the three-run home run hit by Jimmy Latona in the seventh inning, which gave the Lakers the lead they needed to win the game. 

Offensively, Beaver lead the team with four hits on the day, collecting two RBIs on his home run and scoring two of the three runs for the Falcons. Beaver singled twice on bunts, stole a base and also made a great defensive play in the outfield. 

"He's definitely an all-around player," Barker said. "He's starting to get more comfortable. He started off slow this season, hitting the ball right at people, but now he's starting to utilize his speed with bunts and steals. It's very important for him to set the table for the other guys. If he can get on and steal a base, when they hit, he scores. He can score from anywhere."

Beaver currently leads the team with 35 hits, 24 runs and 20 stolen bases. He ranks second on the team in RBIs with 14 behind TJ Lett (23 RBIs) who batted him in during the third inning of today's game. 

Notre Dame will play a four-game series this weekend at Fairmont State on Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15. Both days' doubleheaders are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.