• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 5) – Behind complete-game shutouts by sophomores GJ Senchak (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) and Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle), the Vulcans claimed a doubleheader sweep against Clarion at CONSOL Energy Park in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Friday afternoon, winning 8-0 and 4-0.

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 18-7 overall with a 5-1 mark in divisional action. Meanwhile, Clarion falls 1-19 this season behind a 1-9 record in league play.

In Game 1, Senchak scattered just two hits while tossing the second complete-game shutout of his career. He registered five strikeouts and issued no walks in 7.0 innings (75 pitches) on Friday. Senchak allowed a leadoff single in the first and fourth innings and prevented the Golden Eagles from advancing any base runner into scoring position.

The Vulcans took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run homer by AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle), his first of the year. Cal U later added to the lead in the fourth by scoring three runs on four hits. Robinson and freshman designated hitter David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario /Father Leo J. Austin) opened the inning with back-to-back singles before an error on a fielder's choice allowed Robinson to score. Freshman left fielder Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler) then followed with an RBI single before later scoring on a wild pitch, 5-0.

Cal U stretched the lead to 8-0 after posting three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Junior center fielder Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) and senior catcher Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) reached base to start the inning before both advanced on a wild pitch. Carson then scored on an RBI ground-out by Robinson before Marcus followed with an RBI single to right field. Sophomore shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) added an RBI single through the middle that scored pinch runner Blake Henderson (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) from second.

Robinson finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Marcus and junior right fielder Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) also both collected a pair of hits, while Petty scored twice.

Clarion starter Ryan Voisey (0-2) suffered the loss after surrendering eight runs (all earned) on eight hits in 4.1 innings (69 pitches).

In Game 2, Taylor registered his second complete-game shutout of the season. He scattered seven hits and issued one walk, while striking out three in 7.0 innings (77 pitches). Taylor forced the Golden Eagles to leave seven runners on base, including four in scoring position on Friday.

Cal U threatened to score in the first inning, as junior left fielder Zak Schmidt (Moon Twp., Pa./Moon) led off with a ground-rule double before Clarion retired the next three batters in order. Petty opened the fourth with a double before the Golden Eagles again kept the game scoreless by retiring the next three batters.

In the sixth, the Vulcans broke the scoreless tie and took a 4-0 lead without recording an extra-base hit. Carson started the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Petty, who reached when the first baseman dropped the ball. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Robinson before Marcus was intentionally walked to load the bases. Peters then lined an RBI single through the left side before Petty and pinch runner Chris Mitko (Columbus, Ohio/Northland) scored on a two-run single by junior second baseman by Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny). Gasti added an insurance run with an RBI single through the right side that scored Peters from second.

Clarion had runners on the corners in the seventh on back-to-back singles to open the inning before Taylor registered a strikeout and induced a double play to end the game.

Eight different Cal U players finished with one hit and Zeroski registered two RBI.

Golden Eagles starter Tyler Delval (0-3) was saddled with the loss after yielding four runs (three earned) on eight hits in 5.1 innings (73 pitches).

Cal U continues its weekend series with Clarion tomorrow, Saturday, April 6, with another doubleheader at CONSOL Energy Park, starting at 1 p.m. The location was changed due to field conditions at Clarion and Golden Eagles will serve as the home team in both games.