Staying home<\/p>\n
DeLuca carried five home runs, 23 RBIs and a .333 batting average into Mercyhurst\u2019s April 18-19 series at New Haven. She was tied for the team lead in home runs while leading the Lakers in doubles (8), slugging percentage (.617) and OPS (.977).<\/p>\n
Less than one year ago, she wore a McDowell Trojans uniform.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love Mercyhurst and I love the girls. They\u2019ve really helped me step up,\u201d DeLuca said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t seeing a lot of good pitches first half of the season but have gotten a lot better with being more selective.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Gabby](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/069a7dba67b2f2dabba4cfc13c7f0d11.jpeg\"\/)
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Gabby DeLuca prepares to pitch during a Mercyhurst University softball game in Erie, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
Cannon\u2019s 13 walks led the team as of April 18. She\u2019d scored 16 runs and driven in 14 while bumping her batting average up to .280 after hitting .118 as a sophomore.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year, I was in my head and maybe trying to swing out of my shoes,\u201d Cannon said. \u201cI\u2019m keeping it simple, going back to basics and playing softball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cannon and DeLuca, two of four pitchers used by the Lakers, pitched 97 combined innings before departing for New Haven. Former Warren High School standout Alana Stuart, a freshman, provides another pitching option.<\/p>\n
![\"Bailey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dbecad66fc64791dd78ebfa4b1e924da.jpeg\"\/)
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Bailey Cannon awaits a pitch during a Mercyhurst University softball game in Erie, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe college strike zone is a lot smaller, so it\u2019s been frustrating, and a learning curve for me,\u201d DeLuca said. \u201cMy coaches have definitely helped me along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mercyhurst rosters five former District 10 high school players, including Cambridge Springs grad Alexandra Acosta-Reyes, a senior who owns a .274 batting average with four doubles and 13 runs scored. Maddie Adams, a sophomore from Northwestern, has scored three runs this spring.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re gritty. The weather doesn\u2019t shake them,\u201d Baker said of Erie-born players. \u201cThe first question I ask anyone from outside this area is whether they like the snow.\u201d<\/p>\n
More: General McLane graduate Sarah Schulz set for Boston Marathon debut<\/a><\/p>\n McDowell High School graduate Gabby DeLuca is now a freshman pitcher\/middle infielder at Mercyhurst University.<\/p>\n Turning the page<\/p>\n Hurst, at 3-18, finished last in the NEC in 2025. It started this season 7-10, just outside of the top four standing required to reach the conference tournament.<\/p>\n DeLuca homered and drove in six runs during a 10-5 win at New Haven on April 18. She also earned the win, her fourth of the season.<\/p>\n \u201cWe feel more comfortable and confident in each other and ourselves,\u201d Cannon said. \u201cWe\u2019re taking strides forward and working toward exactly where we want to be.\u201d<\/p>\n General McLane High School graduate Bailey Cannon is now a junior pitcher\/utility player at Mercyhurst University.<\/p>\n Baker hopes to see offense, defense and pitching align as the regular season concludes. One home series remains April 25-26 amidst trips to Oakland (Michigan), Niagara and LIU.<\/p>\n \u201c(My family) comes to every single game and are always there for me,\u201d Cannon said. \u201cHigh school coaches, travel coaches and friends have come. It\u2019s just really awesome that they all get to be there to support me and see me at the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n Contact Jeff Uveino at\u00a0juveino@gannett.com<\/a>. Follow him on X @realjuveino.<\/p>\n![\"McDowell](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/919d29f5cfcaca20be12d22c69f425ac.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"General](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/acabdebc02b5e00b5a970a1b03ab3a67.jpeg\"\/)
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