ELKRIDGE, Md. (Interstat) — Armando Hurtado delivered a historic performance, going a perfect 4-for-4 with seven RBIs, to power the Coppin State Eagles to a 14-4 rout of the Mercyhurst Lakers in a non-conference baseball game Saturday at Joe Cannon Stadium.

The game, organized by the Northeast, turned decisively in the bottom of the first inning. After the Lakers were retired in order to start the afternoon contest, the Eagles sent 12 men to the plate against Mercyhurst starter Nolan Kirsch and reliever Nate Vargo. Coppin State capitalized on wildness and timely hitting, scoring five runs to erase an early deficit and take a lead it would not relinquish.

The pivotal sequence began with the bases loaded and one out. Angel Garcia drew a walk to force in the Eagles’ first run. Hurtado then cleared the bases with a triple to right-center field, tying the game. He later scored on a wild pitch to cap the explosive inning, giving Coppin State a 5-4 advantage after Mercyhurst had initially led.

Hurtado, who started in left field and later moved to catcher, continued his onslaught throughout the evening. He added a two-run double in a four-run fifth inning that broke the game open and an RBI single in the sixth. His final RBI came on a bases-loaded walk in the seventh, completing his seven-RBI day. Over his last four games, Hurtado has driven in 13 runs.

The offensive outburst provided more than enough support for Coppin State starter Dillon Kirksey, who earned the win. Kirksey worked six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out six. Reliever Keith Wallace closed the game with a perfect seventh inning, striking out two.

For Mercyhurst, which managed only five hits, first baseman Jayden Walker went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. The loss extended the Lakers’ season-opening skid to nine games. Coppin State improved to 2-8.

The most critical phase of the game was undoubtedly the bottom of the first inning. The five-run response immediately negated Mercyhurst’s early lead and established momentum firmly with the home team. The inning featured three walks, a key triple, and a wild pitch, showcasing a combination of patient at-bats and clutch hitting that defined the Eagles’ day. It also forced an early pitching change for the Lakers, setting the tone for a long day for their staff.

The result defied pregame projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 1-0 Mercyhurst victory and gave the Lakers a 74.7% probability of winning based on its ELO system.

The two teams conclude their three-game series Sunday at Joe Cannon Stadium.