• Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga. (March 12) – With the game tied after seven innings, the Vulcans scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth on Wednesday afternoon to claim a 7-5 win over Tiffin (Ohio) at the Savannah Invitational.

With its second victory over Tiffin in as many days, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 9-6 overall. Meanwhile, the Dragons fall to 3-6 this season after losing their fourth-straight game.

The Dragons took a 3-0 in the lead in the top of the first after the first seven batters reached base. Freshman reliever Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) entered the game in the first with the bases loaded and retired the next two batters to end the inning. Tiffin benefited from an error and a two-out RBI single in the third to increase its lead to 4-0.

In the bottom of the sixth, Cal U scored three runs on four hits to trim the deficit to 4-3. Freshman shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) lined an RBI single with runners on the corners before sophomore third baseman Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) added a two-run double with the bases loaded later in the inning.

The Dragons countered with a run in the seventh before the Vulcans responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game, 5-5. Junior first baseman AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) started the inning with a walk and sophomore right fielder John Orr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) followed with a single. After an infield fly, Robinson scored on an RBI single by senior catcher JB Sapienza (La Plata, Md. /La Plata) and Orr tied the game by scoring on a sacrifice fly from Peters.

Robinson delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth before Cal U added an insurance run on a ground-out by sophomore left fielder Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) with the bases loaded. In the top of the ninth, Tiffin had a runner reach on an error before senior Jim Kirker (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) ended the game with back-to-back strikeouts.

Kirker (2-0) earned the win after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings of one-hit relief. Taylor pitched a season-high 6.2 innings of relief, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits, and established a season best with four strikeouts. Tiffin junior Brock Mitchell (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing one run (earned) in 1.1 innings of relief.

Orr collected a career-high three hits, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the win. Carson and Gasti each posted a pair of hits, while Gasti and Peters both registered two RBI against the Dragons.

The Vulcans conclude play at the Savannah Invitational tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, when they face host No. 25 Armstrong Atlantic at 12 p.m. Live stats and live video of the game are scheduled to be available.