• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 22) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team opened Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play with a doubleheader split against preseason divisional-favorite Mercyhurst on Friday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Park, winning 13-4 before falling 3-1.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 14-4 overall with a 1-1 mark in divisional play. Cal U has played 15-consecutive home games with its last road game coming on Feb. 25. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst moves to 14-8 this year with a 1-1 record in league action after winning the division in three of the last four years.

In Game 1, Cal U took a quick 8-0 lead in the bottom of the first behind seven hits and two walks. Junior third baseman Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny)opened the rally with a double before scoring on an RBI single by senior catcher Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg). Following a walk, freshman designated hitter David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) and sophomore shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) collected back-to-back RBI singles through the left side, 3-0. The Vulcans then loaded the bases before junior second baseman Giovanni Morales (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) lined a two-out, two-run single through the left side. Zeroski later added to the lead with a three-run double before being thrown at third to end the inning.

The Lakers managed a run in both the second and third before the Vulcans responded with three runs in the fourth to take an 11-2 lead. With runners on second and third, senior first baseman AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) lined a two-run single up the middle. Marcus followed with a double and advanced to third when Robinson was thrown out at home. After applying the tag, the Lakers catcher committed an error when trying to throw out Marcus going to third which allowed Marcus to score.

Mercyhurst cut into the deficit with two runs in the top of the sixth before Cal U countered a two-out, two-run single by junior right fielder Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels), 13-4.

Sophomore GJ Senchak (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) earned the victory, allowing four runs (all earned) on eight hits in 7.0 innings (113 pitches). He registered seven strikeouts while posting his second-straight complete game (third of the season).

Five different players collected a pair of hits in the victory and four players recorded at least two RBI. Zeroski finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Robinson posted two hits, two RBI and two runs. Gasti, Marcus and Petty also collected two hits on Friday, while Petty and Marcus both scored twice.

Mercyhurst starter Dan Altavilla (3-2) suffered the loss after being roughed up for 11 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits, two walks and three hit by pitch in 4.0 innings (74 pitches). He entered the game allowing only eight runs in 28.2 innings this season.

In the nightcap, Lakers senior Ben Rawding (6-0) limited the Vulcans to one run (earned) on five hits with eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings (92 pitches). Rawding, the reigning PSAC West Pitcher of the Year, has won 18-consecutive decisions dating back to 2011 and boasts a 22-1 record over the last three seasons.

Mercyhurst took a 1-0 lead with back-to-back, two-out doubles in the top of the second. The Lakers added a pair of runs in the fourth before the Vulcans countered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Petty opened the inning with a single and stole second before scoring on a two-out RBI single by Gasti, 3-1. In the fifth, Cal U had runners on the corners with two outs before Rawding retired the final seven batters of the game in order.

Sophomore Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits in 4.2 innings. Freshman Jack Dennis (Toronto, Ontario/Birchmount Park) and redshirt senior Eric Francis (New Castle, Pa./Shenango) combined to toss 2.1 innings of scoreless relief against the Lakers.

Petty collected two of the team's five hits in the loss.

Cal U looks to continue the weekend series with a doubleheader against Mercyhurst on Sunday, March 24, in Erie, Pa. The games were originally scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, March 23, but recent snow accumulation in the Erie area has forced the games to be rescheduled.