ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — The Akron Zips built an eight-run lead and survived a late scare to edge the Mercyhurst Lakers 8-7 on Tuesday evening at Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

Akron sent 12 men to the plate in a five-run first inning, highlighted by Henry Hayman’s two-run homer in the fourth. The Zips were held to six hits but capitalized on walks and two Mercyhurst errors.

The Lakers chipped away, scoring five runs in the fifth inning and two in the ninth, including an RBI triple by Dana Williams Jr. The tying run was on base when the final out was recorded. Six Akron relievers, led by Landon Vandegrift, combined for 7 1/3 scoreless innings. Akron improved to 11-12. Mercyhurst fell to 4-14.