ERIE, Pa. (April 22) – Facing the top team in the league standings, the Vulcans rallied for a doubleheader split at Mercyhurst in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action on Friday afternoon, falling 11-1 in Game 1 before earning a 6-3 win.
With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team moves to 22-16 overall and is now tied for third place in the divisional standings with a 15-7 league record. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst stands at 30-10 this season and remains first in PSAC West standings with a 17-5 mark.
In Game 2, sophomore
Carter Krick (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) earned the complete-game victory and improved to 3-1 this season while making his first start since March 7. He scattered six hits and allowed three runs (all earned) while setting a season high with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings. Mercyhurst starter Cam Knott (7-2) suffered the loss after surrendering five runs (three earned) on seven hits and five walks in 5.0 innings.
The Vulcans loaded the bases in the top of the first, as the first three batters reached on a single and back-to-back walks. Following an RBI ground-out, junior designated hitter
Joe Yourgal (Millersville, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) delivered a two-run single up the middle to stretch the lead to 3-0. Cal U threatened to add to its lead in the second before the inning ended with a runner being thrown out at the plate after attempting to score from second.
In the bottom of the fourth, Mercyhurst tied the score at 3-3 on a two-run triple and an RBI ground-out. Cal U reclaimed the lead at 6-3 in the sixth after the inning started with three-straight singles. The Vulcans scored two runs in the sixth when sophomore second baseman
Garrett Brooks (Connellsville, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) reached on a fielder's choice and he later scored on a wild pitch.
Senior center fielder
Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler) went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one stolen base. Junior right fielder
Bobby Thompson (Blairsville, Pa./Blairsville) also collected a pair of hits and Brooks scored twice in the victory.
In Game 1, Cal U faced one of the top pitchers in NCAA Division II in Mercyhurst junior Colin McKee, who entered the weekend as the nation's leader in strikeouts-per-nine innings. McKee (8-1) allowed one run (earned) on six hits and three walks in 6.0 innings with seven strikeouts. Senior
Jack Dennis (Toronto, Ontario/Birchmount Park) dropped to 6-3 this year after being roughed up for nine runs (all earned) on nine hits in just 2.2 innings.
The Lakers manufactured a run in the bottom of the first before taking an 11-0 lead after batting around in the third. Center fielder Chris Gonzaelz belted a pair of two-run homers in the third, as Mercyhurst totaled 11 hits (seven singles) in the inning. Cal U avoided the shutout by scoring in the top of the sixth, as three-straight batters reached base safely with sophomore shortstop
Austin Logan (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) collecting an RBI single.
Fennell and Logan combined for five of the team's seven hits with Fennell going 3-for-4 and Logan finishing 2-for-3 with one RBI. The Vulcans left eight runners on base in the loss, including five in scoring position.
Cal U continues its weekend series with Mercyhurst tomorrow, Saturday, April 23, by hosting a doubleheader at CONSOL Energy Park on Senior Day at 1 p.m.
