• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score
• Photo Gallery

ERIE (April 9) – Behind two homers by senior right fielder Sam DiMatteo (Center, Pa./Center) in Game 1, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team won 13-3 and 5-3 to sweep a doubleheader at Gannon on Friday afternoon to remain in first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West standings.

With the sweep, the Vulcans extended their win streak to 10 games. Cal U now holds a 21-10 overall record with a 12-2 mark in league action. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights drop to 17-15 overall and 11-7 in divisional play this year.

DiMatteo went a combined 5-for-9 in the doubleheader with one double, two homers, five RBI, four runs and two stolen base. After setting the career record for steals earlier this year, he is the first player with two 25-steal seasons in Cal history. Junior first baseman Adam Links (New Hope, Pa./Central Bucks East) and junior second baseman Aaron Ordy (Butler, Pa./Butler) each finished with four hits and four runs scored at Gannon. Links also belted his second homer of the season and totaled four RBI in the two games.

In Game 1, Cal U took a quick 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Sophomore center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) started the game with a double and DiMatteo followed with a homer. Later in the inning, the Vulcans had runners on second and third with two outs before both runners scored when sophomore catcher Anthony Lamont (Clinton, Pa./South Side Beaver) reached base on an error.

The Vulcans added to their lead in the second inning when DiMatteo launched a solo homer (eighth of the season; 28th of his career) and Links added a two-run longball later in the inning. Cal U expanded its lead to 9-0 in the fourth when Lamont delivered a two-out, two-run single.

In the fifth inning, Cal U plated four runs on four hits to take an 11-0 lead. DiMatteo collected a RBI double before scoring on a single by Ordy. Junior designated hitter Chuck Faust (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) lined a RBI triple later in the inning and freshman Evan King (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) collected a RBI double.

Gannon responded by scoring its three runs in the bottom of the inning and loaded the bases in the sixth inning before starter Randy Sturgill (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg) ended the Golden Knights' rally without allowing a run.

Sturgill (6-1) earned the win after yielding three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks, while fanning seven. Gannon starter Mark Carlozzi (1-3) suffered the loss after being roughed up for 13 runs (11 earned) on 12 hits and five walks.

DiMatteo highlighted the offensive attack, going 4-for-5 with one double, two homers, four RBI and three runs. Ordy went 3-for-4 with three runs and Links finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and four runs scored.

In the nightcap, the Golden Knights were in position to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh with runners on second and third before sophomore reliever Jim Kirker (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) closed out the game with a strikeout and groundout.

Senior Nick Schreiber (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle Antrim) earned his fifth win of the season after allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits in 6.0-plus innings with seven strikeouts. Kirker recorded his second career save after working a scoreless seventh inning.

With the score tied at 1-1, the Golden Knights took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth on two hits and one error. The Vulcans took their first lead of the game after scoring four runs in the fifth. Junior left fielder Sean Welsh (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) collected a RBI double in the inning before scoring on single by DiMatteo. With the bases loaded later in the fifth, Links delivered a two-run single after DiMatteo scored on a throwing error.

Schreiber issued a leadoff walk to start the seventh before Kirker came to the hill. After a single, the Golden Knights moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Kirker then retired the final two batters to seal the victory.

In the nightcap, Links led the team with two hits and two RBI, while DiMatteo and Welsh each had a hit and RBI.

Cal U concludes the series with Gannon tomorrow, Saturday, April 10, by hosting a doubleheader at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, Pa. The twinbill is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.

Note:
There was an eight-minute snow delay in the top of the fifth inning in Game 1.