ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — The Akron Zips built an eight-run lead by the fourth inning and then withstood a furious late rally by the Mercyhurst Lakers, escaping with an 8-7 victory in a non-conference baseball game that stretched from Tuesday afternoon into the evening at Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The game’s defining stretch came early, as Akron (11-12) capitalized on wildness and mistakes by Mercyhurst (4-14) starter Heath Betza. The Zips sent nine men to the plate in a chaotic first inning, scoring twice without a hit via two walks, two hit batters and a fielder’s choice. They added another unearned run in the second on a passed ball and a throwing error.

The Zips broke the game open in the third and fourth. Easton Amundson’s two-run single in the third made it 4-0. An inning later, after a sacrifice fly from Blake Bowen, second baseman Henry Hayman delivered the decisive blow. Following a Mercyhurst fielding error, Hayman launched a two-run, unearned home run to extend Akron’s lead to 8-0.

Hayman finished 1-for-2 with the homer, two RBIs and two walks, reaching base four times.

From there, the game transformed into a battle of bullpens, with the Lakers slowly chipping away at the large deficit. They scored two in the third on an RBI single from Zachary Kourous and a run-scoring groundout from Jayden Walker. The fifth inning saw the Lakers mount their most serious threat, batting around and plating three runs on a bases-loaded walk by Dana Williams Jr., a hit-by-pitch from Mike Samarin and a sacrifice fly from Ranciel Ventura to cut the lead to 8-5.

That rally was ultimately stymied by Akron reliever Nathan Currah, who entered with the bases loaded and one out. Currah induced a popout and a groundout to escape further damage, beginning a string of dominant relief work for the Zips. Following Currah, who pitched 1 2/3 perfect innings, Garrett Groce, Brady Bowen and Parker Munday each contributed a scoreless frame, with Munday striking out one.

The Lakers’ final push came in the ninth against Akron’s Floyd McKenna. After two quick outs, Luke Babcock walked and Williams Jr. tripled him home. Williams Jr. then scored on an infield error by Akron, bringing the tying run to the plate. McKenna finally ended the game by getting pinch-hitter Zach Black to ground out to the mound.

Williams Jr. was a bright spot for Mercyhurst, going 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and a walk.

The victory was secured by Akron’s parade of relievers after starter Landon Vandegrift pitched two hitless innings. Following Currah’s key outing, Munday, Groce and Bowen combined for three perfect innings of relief, a stretch that proved critical in preserving the narrowing lead. For Mercyhurst, reliever Nolan Kirsch provided two perfect innings of his own with two strikeouts, helping keep the Lakers within striking distance.

The result defied pregame projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 5-4 Mercyhurst victory and whose ELO system gave the Lakers a 61.3% probability to win.

Akron next opens a three-game home series against Toledo on Friday. Mercyhurst is scheduled to host Norfolk State for a three-game set beginning the same day.