• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score
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WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 24) – Behind an extra-inning, walk-off single by sophomore third baseman Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) in Game 1 and a complete-game shutout by freshman GJ Senchak (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) in Game 2, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team earned a doubleheader sweep over No. 16 Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Park in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, winning 3-2 and 2-0.

With the victories, the Vulcans improve to 14-12 overall with a 5-3 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Lakers fall to 17-7 this year with a 2-2 record in divisional action.

In Game 1, the Lakers tied the game in the seventh before Gasti posted the game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth. After a single, junior first baseman Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) reached on a fielder's choice and later stole second before sophomore pinch hitter Joey Borrelli (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) was hit by a pitch with two outs. Gasti then lined the walk-off single through the middle on a 0-2 count that allowed Petty to score from second.

Senior Jim Kirker (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) earned the win after tossing 1.0 inning of scoreless relief (16 pitches) on Saturday. Freshman Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) took a no-decision despite allowing just two runs (both earned) on seven hits while pitching a career-high 7.0 innings (101 pitches). He issued a pair of walks against the Lakers and tied his career best with seven strikeouts. Mercyhurst's Samuel O'Neill (0-3) suffered the loss after yielding one run on three hits and one walk in 1.2 innings of relief (37 pitches).

The Vulcans took an early 1-0 lead in the first when Petty scored on a wild pitch after reaching on a two-out triple to right-center field. Mercyhurst looked to even the score in the fourth when it advanced runners to second and third with one out. With the corners playing even with the bases, Taylor induced a sharp ground-out to Gasti followed by a pop-up to end the inning without allowing a run.

However, the Lakers tied the game in the fifth with a two-out RBI shortstop Zak Blair, who was thrown out at second when trying to advance on a pitch in the dirt. Cal U reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning after two wild pitches allowed sophomore left fielder Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) to score from second, 2-1. In the seventh, designated hitter Anthony Tomasone drew a two-out walk and stole second before scoring on an RBI single by second baseman Kolin McMillen to tie the game at 2-2.The Vulcans attempted to manufacture a run in the bottom of the inning before Carson was tagged out in a rundown between third and home to end the inning.

Carson collected his eighth multi-hit game of the season in the win, finishing 2-for-3 with one run scored.

In the nightcap, Senchak improved to 2-2 this season while tossing the first complete-game shutout of his career. He limited the Lakers to five hits and allowed only three base runners to advance into scoring position in 7.0 innings (93 pitches). Lakers' starter Zach Leitten (2-1) was saddled with the loss after yielding two runs (both earned) on five hits with five strikeouts in 6.0 innings (93 pitches).

In the bottom of the fourth, Petty and senior center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) started the inning with back-to-back singles before Gasti delivered a two-run triple to right-center field, 2-0. Mercyhurst threatened in the fifth after the leadoff hitter reached on a double before Senchak worked out of the inning without allowing another hit. The Lakers again appeared poised to cut into the deficit in the sixth with a two-out triple before a fly-out ended the inning.

Mercyhurst opened the seventh with a single and Senchak then induced a double play. After a walk and single, the Lakers had runners on the corners before the game ended on a ground-out.

In the nightcap, Petty finished with two of the team's five hits.

The Vulcans return to action on Wednesday, March 28, when they host a non-conference doubleheader with Salem International at CONSOL Energy Park, starting at 1 p.m. Live stats of the games will be available by clicking here.