The Misericordia University baseball team opened the 2017 season with a pair of tough losses, 5-4, 6-3, Saturday at #16 Shenandoah.

Tyler Holzapfel had two hits in both games in his collegiate debut.

In the opener, MU scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead, but gave up the game-winner with one out in the bottom of the seventh.

In the nightcap, the Cougars fell behind 5-0 after two innings before scoring all three of their runs in the top of the third.

Alec Iurato and Connor Smith drove in runs.

Trailing 3-0 in the opener, Santo Guinta reached base via hit by pitch to lead off the top of the sixth and moved up on Alex St. Pier's single to right.  Both runners came home when Holzapfel's single to right field was misplayed to make it 4-2.

Holzapfel scored the tying on a throwing error on Connor Smith's sacrifice bunt attempt.

With two outs, Jeremy DeCotiis was hit by pitch, stole second and came around to score on a failed pickoff attempt to give MU a 4-3 lead.

Shenandoah tied with a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth and loaded the bases on two hits and an error in the bottom of the seventh.

MU brought in extra infielder with the bases loaded, but the Hornets scored the game-winner an error behind the mound.

Jake Kurtz struck out four in 2.1 innings of relief of Garrett Pelko while Elliot Forde absorbed the loss.

Trailing 6-0 after two innings in the second game, MU scored all three of its runs in the top of the third.

Holzapfel led off with a double down the right field line.  He advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Smith's infield single.

Steve Weisensee and DeCotiis both singled to right to load the bases and Smith came home on a wild pitch.

One out later, Kenny Jarema walked to re-load the bases and Alec Iurato drove in a run on a fielder's choice.

Curt Jorgensen, Steve Pabon and Kyle Melahn combined for two scoreless innings of Tim Burek, who worked the first four innings.