ERIE, Pa. (May 7) – Behind a complete-game from junior
Dylan Brosky (East Millsboro, Pa./Brownsville) and a pair of solo homers, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team claimed a doubleheader split at Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Friday afternoon, dropping a 5-1 contest in Game 1 before tallying a 2-1 victory in Game 2.
With the split, the Vulcans move to 23-15 overall with a 14-12 mark in divisional action. Cal U sits fourth in the PSAC West standings in conference wins, two games ahead of Pitt-Johnstown (two games remaining) and Slippery Rock (four games remaining). Meanwhile, the Golden Knights stand at 18-14 this season behind a 16-10 record in league play and have clinched a berth in the PSAC Tournament.
In Game 2, Brosky earned his team-leading eighth victory while improving to 8-1 this spring. He yielded one run (earned) while scattering seven hits and one walk over 7.0 innings (97 pitches). Brosky also notched a season-high seven strikeouts for the fourth time this season on Friday.
Cal U jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a solo homer by junior shortstop
Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes), his 10th longball of the year. The Golden Knights tied the score in the bottom half with a two-out RBI single. Following the homer to McCaskey, Gannon starter Deven Judy retired the Vulcans in order in three-consecutive innings.
Senior third baseman
Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) led off the fifth with a solo homer, his fifth of the season, as the Vulcans took a 2-1 lead. Gannon threatened with runners on first and second in the sixth before Brosky retired the next two batters in order. Cal U loaded the bases on three walks in the seventh before a pop-up and fly-out ended the inning. The Golden Knights managed a pair of singles in the bottom half, but were unable to advance a runner into scoring position due to a caught stealing.
McCaskey is the third different player since 2018 to record double-digit homers in a season for the Vulcans. Conte also tied his career high with his fifth homer, which he set in 2019 in 45 more at-bats.
In Game 1, senior
Nick Riggle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (two earned) on 10 hits and two walks over 6.0 innings (87 pitches). He forced the Golden Knights to leave seven runners on base, including five in scoring position. Riggle also moved into a tie with Kevin Pincavitch (1989-92) for 10th all-time in school history with 178 strikeouts.
Cal U took a 1-0 lead in the top of second on a two-out RBI single by senior first baseman
Josh Rankin (Moon Twp., Pa./Moon) before leaving a pair of runners on base. In the bottom half, the Golden Knights answered with an RBI single before Riggle induced a double play to end the inning. The Vulcans started the fourth with a single and walk before a pair of fielder's choices and fly-out halted the threat.
Gannon claimed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth after collecting three-consecutive hits with two outs before stranding runners on second and third. The Golden Knights capitalized on a two-out throwing error in the sixth with a bases-loaded triple to extend the lead to 5-1.
The Vulcans close out the regular season tomorrow, Saturday, May 8, with a doubleheader against Gannon on Senior Day at Wild Things Park, starting at 1 p.m.
