WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 10) – Behind a complete-game victory from senior
Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle), the Vulcans split a doubleheader with nationally-ranked Mercyhurst in Pennsylvania State Athletic (PSAC) West play on Friday afternoon, winning 5-4 in Game 1 before falling 1-0 in Game 2.
With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team moves to 15-15 overall and 11-7 in league action. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst, which entered play on an 11-game winning streak, moves to 26-2 overall behind a 16-2 league mark.
In Game 1, the Vulcans jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single through the right side by senior shortstop
Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby). The Lakers then took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third on a two-run homerun by first baseman Austin Alonge that hit the left-field foul pole. Cal U answered in the bottom of the inning when Peters and junior first baseman
David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) reached on a single and a walk, respectively, before freshman designated hitter
Chris Wastchak (Peters Twp., Pa./Peters Township) delivered a two-run double, 3-2. Junior left fielder
Jared Grove (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) followed a two-run homer to left field to push the lead to 5-2. Mercyhurst countered with a two-run triple in the fifth inning before Cal U earned the win.
Wastchak and Grove paced the offense, as each finished with one hit and two RBI. Peters was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
Taylor earned the win and improved to 2-2 after allowing four runs (all earned) and scattering 10 hits in 7.0 innings (117 pitches). He registered eight strikeouts and walked none, while forcing the Lakers to leave five runners on base - all in scoring position. Mercyhurst starter Colin McKee (5-1) suffered the loss after yielding five runs (all earned) on six hits and three walks in 6.0 innings (108 pitches). He entered the start with a 1.16 ERA after surrendering only five runs in 31.0 innings this season.
In Game 2, catcher Jake Marinelli led off the third inning with a walk before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Marinelli then advanced to third on a ground-out before scoring the only run of the game on a wild pitch. The Vulcans put runners on first and second in the bottom of the fifth before the Lakers forced a foul-out and ground-out to end the inning.
Laker starting pitcher Jon Klein (6-0) earned the win after scattering seven hits over 6.1 scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Junior Ben Nolan earned the save after working the final 0.2 innings. Cal U junior
Jack Dennis (Toronto, Ontario/Birchmount Park) suffered the loss after tossing all 7.0 innings. He struck out three and scattered five hits, while allowing one run (earned).
Wastchak went 2-for-3 in the loss, as Cal U out-hit Mercyhurst by a 7-5 margin.
The Vulcans continue PSAC West play when they travel to Erie, Pennsylvania, tomorrow, Saturday, April 11, for a doubleheader at Mercyhurst, beginning at 1 p.m.
