(HICKORY, N.C.) – Lake Erie couldn't stop the bats of Lenoir-Rhyne as the hosts completed a three-game sweep with a 13-3 victory in seven innings this afternoon. The Storm fall to 3-6-1 on the season while the Bears improved to 15-10.

The hosts took an initial lead with four runs in the second on four hits and an error. Both teams exchanged runs in the fourth before the Storm attempted a rally with a two-run home run by Collin Minor (Sr., Medina, Ohio / Medina) that also plated Caleb Waller (Sr., Vermillion, Ohio / Vermillion) in the sixth.

It was all for not though as Lenoir-Rhyne put up an eight-spot in the bottom of the frame to end the game via mercy rule.

Minor finished the day 2-for-3 to lead the offense. Drew Donaldson (Fr., Galloway, Ohio / Hilliard Bradley) provided the other Storm run after Reed Collins (Jr., Farmington, Minn. / Farmington) doubled to left center with two outs in the fourth. Nathan Birtley (Jr., Mentor, Ohio / Mentor) also doubled this afternoon to give him seven hits in the last four games.

Ryan Lally (R-Sr., Wooster, Ohio / Wooster) took the loss on the bump to fall to 1-1 on the young season.

Lake Erie will now prep for G-MAC play with the conference opener set for this Saturday. The Storm will host Findlay for a four-game series at Classic Park with first pitch set for 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.