• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 12) – Behind a diving bases-loaded, late-game catch by senior right fielder Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels), the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team earned a doubleheader split with Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Park in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, falling 3-2 before winning 5-0.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 20-15 overall behind an 8-10 record in divisional play. Meanwhile, the Lakers stand at 20-10 this season with a 12-6 mark in league action.

In Game 2, Cal U used three different pitchers to record a four-hit shutout against the Lakers. Sophomore starter Cory Craig (Youngsville, Pa./Youngsville) earned the win after scattering four hits and three walks over 5.0-plus innings (82 pitches). Fellow sophomore Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler), who started both games at third base, recorded the save after retiring all five batters he faced in order. Lakers starter Tanner Delahoy (4-1) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (all earned) on five hits and one walk in 5.0 innings (90 pitches).

Craig forced Mercyhurst to strand runners in scoring position in both the first and second. After the Lakers had a runner on third in the top of the fourth, the Vulcans scored four runs on only two hits in the bottom of the inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, sophomore first baseman David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) delivered a three-run double down the right-field line before Gasti added an RBI single to left field.

In the fifth, senior left fielder John Orr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) belted a solo homer, the second of his career, to stretch the lead to 5-0. The Lakers loaded the bases with one out in the sixth before Fennell recorded a strikeout of the first batter he faced. On the ninth pitch of the next at-bat, Mercyhurst pinch hitter Jake Marinelli lifted a foul ball down the right-field line by the Lakers bullpen. Gasti raced over from straight-away right field and made a diving catch while crashing into the fence (watch).

Gasti went 2-for-3 with one RBI in the victory and Orr scored two runs while hitting No. 2 in the lineup.

In Game 1, junior Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on 10 hits in 7.0 innings (120 pitches). He recorded six strikeouts and issued one walk while tossing his fifth complete game of the year. Mercyhurst junior Joe Gnacinski (4-0) earned the win after yielding two runs (both earned) on four hits and three walks in 6.0 innings (83 pitches) and sophomore Colin McKee worked a scoreless seventh to record the save.

The Lakers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth behind a pair of RBI singles before the Vulcans tied the game in the sixth. Senior second baseman Giovanni Morales (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on a two-out RBI single by senior shortstop Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny). Marcus then followed with an RBI double down the right-field line, as Zeroski scored the game-tying run from first.

Mercyhurst opened the seventh with a single and the runner advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before moving to third on a passed ball. With the infield playing in, Taylor induced a comebacker to the mound for the second out and prevented the runner from advancing. The Lakers then took a 3-2 lead as designated hitter Dan Popio capped a 10-pitch at-bat with a two-out RBI double to left field.

Marcus collected two of the team's four hits, finishing 2-for-3 with one RBI while hitting cleanup.

Cal U returns to action on Tuesday, April 15, when it play a doubleheader at Point Stadium against Pitt-Johnstown, starting at 1 p.m.