• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

INIDIANA, Pa. (March 18) – Freshmen starting pitchers GJ Senchak (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) and Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) both earned their first career wins on Sunday afternoon, as the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team swept a doubleheader at IUP in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, winning 4-2 and 7-1.

With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 12-10 this season with a 3-1 mark in league play. Cal U has won three of the four regular-season meetings against IUP in each of the last two years. Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawks fall to 8-11-1 and open divisional play with a 1-3 mark.

In Game 1, Taylor earned his first career win while making his first collegiate start. He limited the Crimson Hawks to two runs (both earned) on five hits and two walks in 5.2 innings (100 pitches). Taylor, who previously made four relief appearances, established a career high with seven strikeouts on Sunday.

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when junior first baseman AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) lined an RBI single with runners on the corners. IUP answered in the third with a two-run homer by shortstop Robbie Zinsmeister, 2-1.

In the sixth, Cal U scored three runs to regain the lead at 4-2 without collecting an extra-base hit or an RBI. Senior center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) placed a single through the left side with one out before advancing to third on a single by senior designated hitter JB Sapienza (La Plata, Md./La Plata), who left the game for a pinch-runner. Handza then scored on a wild pitch and redshirt sophomore Giovanni Morales (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) moved to third before advancing to third on a pinch-hit single by sophomore Joey Borrelli (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock).  After a walk loaded the bases, Morales scored on a wild pitch and Borrelli later scored on a two-out error.

IUP opened the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back singles before Taylor retired the next two batters in order. Senior Jim Kirker (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) then  relieved Taylor and induced a pop-up to end the inning. The Vulcans looked to add to their lead in the seventh after loading the bases with three-straight, two-out singles before a fielder's choice ended the inning.

During the bottom of the seventh, Kirker retired the first two batters of the inning before IUP had runners on the corners following a walk and single. Kirker then forced a fly-out to end the game and record his first save of the season and fifth of his career.

Junior Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg), who made his second career start in right field, went 3-for-4 against IUP in Game 1. Handza and Robinson each collected a pair of hits in the victory.

Crimson Hawks' reliever Christian Wolosik (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in 2.2 innings of work (44 pitches).

In the nightcap, Senchak tossed a two-hit, complete game to earn his first college win in his seventh appearance of the season (fifth start). He limited the Crimson Hawks to one run (earned) and allowed just five base runners (two hits, three walks) in 7.0 innings (92 pitches).

Cal U seized control of the game by scoring all seven of its runs in the top of the third inning, 7-0. With the bases loaded, sophomore third baseman Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) lined an RBI single through the ride side before Sapienza drew a bases-loaded walk. Borrelli followed with a two-run single before freshman shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) delivered a three-run triple to right-center field gap.

The Vulcans looked to add to their lead in the fifth when they had a runner on third with one out. However, IUP induced consecutive ground-outs to end the inning. The Crimson Hawks scored their lone of the game in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double by second baseman Austin Mock.

Peters extended his hitting streak to eight games on Sunday, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run in the nightcap. Morales collected a pair of singles in his third career start and Borrelli posted two RBI.

Cal U returns to action with its series against No. 17 Mercyhurst, beginning with a doubleheader in Erie, Pa., on Friday, March 23, at 1 p.m.