• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score
 
WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 22) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team earned a split with Gannon, falling 4-2 in Game 1 before claiming a 6-1 win in Game 2, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action Saturday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Park.
 
The Vulcans split both doubleheaders this weekend with the Golden Knights to open the season at 2-2 in conference play and improve to 11-7 overall. Meanwhile, Gannon improves to 6-12 overall and 2-2 in the PSAC West.
 
In Game 2, Cal U got on the board in the first inning and pulled away with three runs in the third and two runs in the fourth inning to earn a 6-1 win. Junior GJ Senchak (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) tossed a complete-game to earn his third win of the season on the mound. He limited the Golden Knights to one run (earned) on three hits, struck out four and issued only one walk.
 
The Vulcans plated a run in the first to take an early lead after sophomore David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) drove in senior Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) with an RBI single. Cal U extended its lead in the third when junior Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) drove in Carson from second with another RBI single. Marcus came to the plate next and followed with a two-run home run, his first career longball, to give the Vulcans a 4-0 lead after three innings.
 
Cal U extended its lead in the next inning. Junior Chris Mitko (Columbus, Ohio/Northland) led the fourth off with a single before junior Will Kaufman (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) drove him in with an RBI triple before Carson lifted a sacrifice fly into right field to score Kaufman, giving the Vulcans a 6-0 lead at the end of four innings.
 
Gannon ended Senchek's shutout bid with a run in the sixth, but he retired the side in order in the seventh to give the win and a split to the Vulcans.
 
Marcus led Cal U at the plate in Game 2. The Ontario native went 2-for-3 with three RBI, including a home run that landed over the 405-feet sign in center field. Carson added a 2-for-2 effort with an RBI, stolen base and two runs scored.
 
Gannon redshirt sophomore Matt Wilwohl (0-4) took the loss after allowing six runs (all earned) on six hits and and four walks in 4.0 innings.
 
In Game 1, Cal U had the game-tying run in scoring position with two outs in the seventh inning, but could not rally in its 4-2 loss.
 
Gannon plated three runs in the third inning and an insurance run in the fifth inning to take a 4-0 lead after five and a half played. The Vulcans, who scatted four hits in the first four innings, broke through in the sixth with a pair of runs to cut the deficit to 4-2. Senior Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny) led off the inning with an infield single before Peters connected on an RBI triple to put Cal U on the board. Marcus followed with an RBI single of his own to score Peters, but was stranded on second to end the inning.
 
After the first two batters were retired in the seventh inning, Carson reached base on a hit by a pitch. Zeroski kept the game going with a double to put the tying run at second, but a line drive to center field ended the game.
 
Junior Justin Taylor (3-2) was charged with the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and struck out four in 5.0 innings. Gannon junior Matt Tobin (1-1) earned the complete-game win after limiting Cal U to two runs (both earned) on eight hits with no walks.
 
The Vulcans are back on the diamond on Tuesday, March 25, with a non-conference doubleheader at Salem International. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
Game Notes: Senior outfielder John Orr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) made his first appearance since a Feb. 22 game at Mount Olive when he suffered an injury … The home run by Marcus was the first by the Vulcans this season, and first since All-American Kyle Petty smacked a three-run home run against Kutztown in last year's PSAC Tournament (5/10/13)