WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 14) – The Vulcans earned a pair of walk-off victories over Gannon on Friday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, winning 6-4 in nine innings on a three-run homer by redshirt senior first baseman David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) before earning a 7-6 victory on an RBI single by sophomore left fielder Nico Marchetti (Laurel, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti).

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 15-15 overall behind an 8-6 mark in divisional play. The Vulcans had went over two calendar years without claiming a victory in walk-off fashion, as they last accomplished the feat on April 4, 2015 – homer by Marcus. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights fall to 15-15 this season with a 5-9 record in league action.

In Game 1, Gannon took a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth on a solo homer by shortstop Cody Callaway. The Vulcans collected back-to-back singles with one out in the bottom of the inning from junior second baseman Garrett Brooks (Connellsville, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) and junior shortstop Levi Krause (East Berlin, Pa./Spring Grove). Marcus then belted a 0-1 pitch over the right-field fence for a three-run, walk-off homer, his fourth of the year.

The Vulcans manufactured a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second with three-straight singles, all with two outs. Junior third baseman Austin Logan (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) started the rally with an infield single before advancing to third on a single by senior center fielder Taylor Zackman (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown Regional). Cal U then had two runners in scoring position after Zackman stole second before Marchetti delivered a two-run single.

Cal U added to its lead in the third when junior right fielder Chris Wastchak (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) lined an RBI double to right-center field that scored Krause, who also reached on a double to right-center. The Golden Knights cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the fourth after benefiting from a throwing error on a play at the plate. The Vulcans appeared ready to answer in the bottom of the fifth after having runners on second and third with one out. However, Callaway made a diving catch down the left-field line and returned to his feet quickly to prevent a run from scoring. The following batter then lined the ball right at the Gannon first baseman to end the inning.

Gannon tied the score at 3-3 in the top of the sixth on a two-out single after Cal U turned a double play on the previous batter. The Vulcans again threatened in the bottom of the inning before Logan was ruled out of the baseline when attempting to score on a squeeze bunt by Marchetti.

Marcus went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer and Zackman finished 3-for-4 with one run scored. Krause posted a pair of hits and scored two runs, while Logan collected two hits in the victory.

Senior Joe Yourgal (Millersville, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) earned the victory after allowing one run (earned) on three hits in 2.2 innings of relief. Junior starter Carter Krick (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) took a no-decision after yielding three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks over 6.1 innings (95 pitches). Gannon reliever Nico DiPaolo suffered the loss after surrendering three runs (all earned) on six hits in 3.1 innings of work.

In Game 2, the Golden Knights held a 6-1 lead midway through the third inning before the Vulcans scored six-unanswered runs to complete the doubleheader sweep. Marchetti finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored from the No. 9 spot in the lineup. Logan went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and Krause again collected two hits. Marcus talied one RBI in the nightcap, as he became only the third player in school history with at least 150 career RBI.

Cal U tied the score at 6-6 with two runs in the bottom of the sixth before leaving the bases loaded. Logan opened the inning with a double before scoring on an infield single by Marchetti. Following a fly-out, Krause delivered a two-out RBI single to left-center field that scored Marchetti from first. Marcus was then issued an intentional walk before Wastchak drew a four-pitch walk. The Golden Knights then made a pitching change that resulted in an unassisted ground-out to end the inning.

In the seventh, the leadoff hitter for Gannon reached on a walk and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and ground-out before a foul-out ended the inning. Logan reached on a one-out double after the ball bounced over the left fielder. Zackman then drew a walk before Marchetti lined the game-winning single to left field that scored Logan from second.

Gannon held a 3-1 lead before Wastchak belted a solo homer, his fourth of the season, to start the bottom of the second. The Golden Knights responded with three runs in the third before the Vulcans countered with an RBI double by Marcus in the bottom of the inning, 6-2. Cal U again worked the deficit down in the fourth on an RBI single by Zackman and a ground-out.

The Vulcans used four different pitchers in the contest with freshman Anthony Winkler (South Park, Pa./South Park) earning the win after working 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Classmate Corey Fogle (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) tossed 2.1 shutout innings of relief on Friday. Gannon reliever Cory Hegedus was saddled with the loss after yielding one run (earned) on two hits and one walk in 0.2 inning.

Cal U resumes the series with Gannon on Monday, April 17, with a doubleheader in Erie, Pennsylvania, at 1 p.m.

Note: The road games were moved from Saturday to Monday due to rain in tomorrow's forecast.