NEW HAMBURG, N.Y. (Interstat) — Nolan Kirsch pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief and Mercyhurst erupted for three runs in the sixth inning to overcome a one-run deficit and defeat Wagner 6-4 on Thursday afternoon at Heritage Financial Park.

The Lakers improved to 15-30, while the Seahawks fell to 25-23 in the Northeast Conference matchup.

Kirsch entered with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, inheriting a 6-4 lead. He struck out Wagner first baseman Joseph Mennella to end the threat, then worked a scoreless seventh, eighth and ninth to earn the save. Kirsch allowed no hits, walked one and struck out two. It was a sharp rebound for the right-hander, who had allowed four earned runs in five innings against Central Connecticut on May 9 and five earned runs without recording an out against Long Island on May 1.

Wagner jumped ahead in the first inning. Diego Tavarez singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by Mercyhurst second baseman Zac Black. Mennella doubled to right field to drive in Tavarez, and Dylan Immel followed with a double to left-center that scored Mennella for a 2-0 lead.

Mercyhurst answered in the top of the second when right fielder Michael Samarin homered to right field, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Seahawks restored their two-run lead in the bottom of the third when Mennella homered to left field, making it 3-1.

The Lakers tied the game in the top of the fifth. Ranciel Ventura walked and Zac Kourous doubled, putting runners at second and third. Luke Babcock singled through the right side, scoring both runners to knot the score at 3-3.

Wagner reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Matt Sutera singled and Tavarez doubled, putting runners at second and third. After Mennella singled to shortstop to load the bases, Dylan Immel struck out. Nicholas Mazzotta then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Sutera to give Wagner a 4-3 advantage.

Mercyhurst’s decisive rally came in the top of the sixth. Zac Evenson singled and Zac Black singled, putting runners at first and second. Darek Staudt laid down a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Logan Koslin then singled to center field, driving in Evenson and Black to put Mercyhurst ahead 5-4. Ventura followed with a fielder’s choice that scored Staudt, extending the lead to 6-4.

Wagner threatened again in the bottom of the sixth. Lukas Torres singled, Sutera doubled and Tavarez walked to load the bases with one out. Kirsch entered and struck out Mennella to escape the jam. The Seahawks put two runners on in the seventh and one in the ninth but could not score.

Koslin went 2 for 5 with two RBIs for Mercyhurst. Samarin was 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI. Babcock drove in two runs. For Wagner, Mennella finished 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. Immel was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Tavarez went 2 for 3 with a walk.

Mercyhurst starter Matthew Delvaux allowed four earned runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out four. Wagner starter Joseph Steventon took the loss, surrendering five earned runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. Keith Davis pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing one earned run on four hits.

Wagner outhit Mercyhurst 14-11 but left 11 runners on base, including seven in scoring position. The Seahawks also committed one error.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again Friday and Saturday in a two-game series at Heritage Financial Park.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Wagner 7, Mercyhurst 1, and Interstat’s ELO system gave Wagner a 58.70 percent probability of winning.