• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

CLARION, Pa. (March 20) – Junior right fielder Sam DiMatteo (Center, Pa./Center) hit a pair of home runs to lead the Vulcans to a doubleheader sweep against Clarion University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, 9-6 and 7-5, on Friday.

With the victories, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 16-5 overall and 5-1 in league play. Meanwhile, Clarion holds a 3-12 overall mark and an 0-2 record in divisional action.

DiMatteo, who hit a longball in each game, went 4-for-8 with four runs and five RBI in the doubleheader. Sophomore second baseman Adam Links (New Hope, Pa./Central Bucks East), senior shortstop Shayne Busti (Crucible, Pa. / Carmichaels) and freshman left fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa. / Shaler) each collected three hits on the day. Handza also scored four runs, while senior third baseman Mike Schmidt (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) registered four RBI.

DiMatteo and Schmidt led the offensive attack for the Vulcans in the opener. Schmidt went 3-for-4 with one double and three RBI, while DiMatteo was 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the sixth. From the leadoff spot in the line-up, Handza went 2-for-3 with three runs and a stolen base.

Junior Ryan Lavrusky (Temple Terrace, Fla./King/Waynesburg) earned the victory in Game 1, allowed six runs (five earned) in 6.1 innings with three walks and three strikeouts. Schmidt moved to the mound from third base in the seventh inning and recorded the save after tossing the final 0.2 innings.

Sophomore Eric Panko was saddled with the loss after allowing nine runs (seven earned) in 6.0 innings with no walks and six strikeouts.

Links paced the offense in the second game, going 3-for-4. DiMatteo went 2-for-4 with a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth. Handza also collected a pair of RBI.

Senior Jon Squeglia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) improved his record a team-best 4-1 after allowing five runs (three earned) in 5.2 innings. He issued no walks with a season-high seven strikeouts. Schmidt again registered the save after moving to the hill from the hot corner, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.
Senior Chuck Roller took the loss in the second game, allowing the eventual game-winning longball to DiMatteo.

The Vulcans and Golden Eagles continue the season series tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, in Washington, Pa., at CONSOL Energy Park. The first game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.