• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 21) – Freshman Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) tossed the first complete-game shutout of his career on Saturday afternoon, as the Vulcans split a doubleheader against Gannon at CONSOL Energy Park in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, winning 4-0 before falling 7-4.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team moves to 24-20 this season with an 11-9 mark in league play. Meanwhile Gannon stands at 24-18 overall behind a 13-7 record in divisional action.

In Game 1, Taylor improved to 3-1 this season after scattering six hits and registering six strikeouts over 7.0 innings (119 pitches). Taylor forced the Golden Knights to strand eight runners on the base, including five in scoring position. Gannon's David Spaeder (2-2) suffered the loss after allowing four runs (all earned) on nine hits and one walk in 6.0 innings (107 pitches).

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the second when junior first baseman AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) lined an RBI single through the left side. In the fourth, Robinson reached base on a wild pitch before sophomore right fielder John Orr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) delivered an RBI double to right-center field, 2-0. The Vulcans increased their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out RBI triple by sophomore left fielder Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) that scored senior catcher JB Sapienza (La Plata, Md./La Plata) from first.

In the sixth, Robinson was hit by pitch to open the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a strikeout, senior second baseman Kyle Bowser (Stoystown, Pa./North Star) lined an RBI double down the left-field line, 4-0.

Sapienza posted his second multi-hit game of the series, finishing 2-for-3 with one run scored. Over the last 11 games, he is hitting .444 (12-for-27) with four doubles, six RBI and four runs scored. Robinson scored a pair of runs and reached base safely in all three plate appearances.

In Game 2, senior starter Jim Kirker (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) was saddled with the loss after surrendering five runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks in just 1.1 innings. Gannon senior Landon Wahl earned the complete-game victory after allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks in 7.0 innings (122 pitches).

The Golden Knights scored a pair of runs in the top of the first on two hits and two walks. Gannon added to its lead with two runs in the second before the game was delay for nearly an hour due to rain. When the game resumed, the Vulcans made a pitching change and the Golden Knights scored an additional run in the second on a ground-out, 5-0.

Cal U answered in the bottom of the inning with three runs on three singles and one error. Freshman shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) scored from second on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore third baseman Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels). Robinson then collected an RBI infield single before Bowser delivered a two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-3.

The Golden Knights eventually stretched their lead to 7-3 after posting a pair of two-out RBI single in the top of the sixth. Cal U looked to mount a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh, as Gasti registered an RBI infield single to score Sapienza. With two outs and runners on first and second, the Gannon second baseman made a sliding catch in foul territory to end the game.

In the loss, Carson went 2-for-4 with one run scored and junior Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) extended his hitting streak to seven games.

The Vulcans return to action on Friday, April 27, when it hosts a Senior Day doubleheader against Slippery Rock at CONSOL Energy Park, starting at 1 p.m. Live stats of the games will be available by clicking here.