BUTLER, Pa. - The California (Pa.) pitching staff limited Gannon to four runs in two games as the Vulcans put a serious dent in the Golden Knights' post-season hopes Saturday afternoon with a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) doubleheader sweep at Pullman, Park in Butler, Pa. Cal posted the victories by scores of 5-1 and 5-3.

Gannon struggled against the PSAC's strikeout leader in the opener. Randy Sturgill struck out 12 Golden Knights while surrendering only one run on six hits. The squad's only run came in the top of the fourth inning when Michael Tomko's (Sharon, Pa./Sharon) lead-off homer cut the deficit in half at 2-1.

It was the only damage Gannon could produce against Sturgill, who moved into second place in school history with 226 career strikeouts.

California took an early lead with two runs in the second inning on back-to-back RBI doubles from Chuck Faust and Kyle Petty. The Vulcans put the game away with three insurance runs on six hits in the sixth inning.

Ryan Turner (Pickering, Ontario/Dunbarton) went 3-for-3 in the first game. Tomko, Tim Lipp (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) and Eric Bradley (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant) produced Gannon's other three hits. David Hucsko (Cambridge, Ontario/Preston) suffered the loss on the mound, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits in six innings. The senior struck out four and walked one.

In the nightcap, California jumped on top with the first two runs again. The Vulcans produced single runs in the first and third innings, before Gannon got on the board. The Golden Knights tied the game when Tomko scored on Lou Downey's (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) infield single up the middle. Turner then scored the tying run on the same play when the California second baseman was charged with a throwing error.

California quickly regained the lead with a run in the bottom of the frame. The Vulcans manufactured a run with a single, an error, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly.

Tomko kick started another rally in the top of sixth inning. The sophomore led off the inning with a single, before stealing second. He then scored the game-tying run on Bradley's two-out double to left center.

However, California won the game with a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the inning. After back-to-back singles, Kyle Bowser doubled home the winning runs. Gannon did manage a lead-off walk in the top of the seventh inning, but a threat did not develop due to a game-ending double play.

Lipp, Tomko and Bradley recorded two hits each in the second game. Paul McKenna (Oakville, Ontario/Iroquois Ridge) dropped to 2-4 with the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The junior struck out one and walked one. Landon Wahl (Somerset, Pa./Somerset Area) faced two hitters in the bottom of the sixth inning, recording an out and allowing Bowser's two-run double.

Gannon dropped to 14-22 overall and 9-13 in the PSAC Western Division with Saturday's losses. California (Pa.), ranked sixth in the initial NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings, improved to 23-14 overall and 9-8 in conference play with its 13th consecutive victory against the Golden Knights. The two programs conclude their four-game series Monday, April 25 with a doubleheader at Gannon University Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For a complete box score from the first game of Saturday's Gannon-California (Pa.) baseball doubleheader, please click here.

For a complete box score from the second game of Saturday's Gannon-California (Pa.) baseball doubleheader, please click here.