Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Gannon baseball team exploded for 13 runs and pounded out 22 hits Friday afternoon during arguably its best offensive performance of week, but still dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Davenport at the Russ-Matt Invitational. The Panthers out-slugged the Golden Knights 10-7 in the opener, before completing the sweep with a 10-6 verdict in the nightcap.

In the opener, Gannon jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Michael Tomko's (Sharon, Pa./Sharon) RBI single in the top of the first inning. Davenport quickly answered with a pair of runs during their half of the inning on a fielder's choice and a double steal.

The score remained the same until Davenport broke the game wide open with a seven-run fourth inning. The Panthers sent 12 men to the plate, scoring seven times on eight hits. Jotham Woo's two-run homer during the second at-bat of the inning ignited the huge rally.

Tomko tripled and scored on Evan Baglieri's (Niagara Falls, Ontario/St. Michael's) single in the fifth. The triple was Tomko's sixth of his career, bringing him within four of the school's career record.

Down 10-2, Gannon tried to pull off an incredible rally in the top of the seventh inning. The Golden Knights tallied five runs on six hits after sending 10 batters to the plate. Tim Lipp (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk), Tomko and Baglieri each had an RBI hit during consecutive at-bats. Two outs later, Terry Carson (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) and Jeff Bellanca (Grand Island, N.Y./St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) produced back-to-back RBI hits to bring the Golden Knights within three runs. However, a pop-up to second ended the rally.

Tomko, who entered the game with a .136 average, broke out in grand fashion with a 4-for-4 performance. The junior scored twice and drove in two more. Baglieri went 3-for-4 with one run and two RBIs in the clean-up spot. Lipp, Carson and Dylan Schwegler (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell Area) added two hits each.

Mark Carlozzi (Poland, Ohio/Poland Seminary) dropped to 1-1, suffering the loss after opening the game with three innings. The senior gave up five hits, struck out two and walked two. Billy Wiltman (Sheffield Lake, Ohio/St. Edward) tossed three relief innings during his first career appearance, surrendering two runs on six hits. The true freshman struck out two and walked two.

In the nightcap, Davenport scored single runs during each of the first three innings to assume a 3-1 lead. Gannon then exploded for a five-run third inning to grab a 6-3 advantage. Nico Baldelli (Ellwood, Pa./Riverside) and Baglieri tied the game with RBI singles, before Taylor Anderson (Niagara Falls, Ontario/A.N. Meyer Secondary) blasted a three-run homer for his first career four-bagger that snapped the tie.

However, it was déjà vu for the Gannon pitching staff. The Golden Knights allowed another seven-run inning. This one came in the top of the sixth inning and turned a 6-3 Gannon lead into a 10-6 deficit. Twelve Panthers came to the plate while 10 of the first 11 reached base. The blitz included seven runs on seven hits, before Phil Cacchione (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep) came out of the pen to induce an inning-ending, bases-loaded double play.

Baldelli and Eric Bradley (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant) led the seven-hit attack with two safeties each. Baldelli went 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. Bradley finished 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Anderson drove in a game-high four runs and scored once while going 1-for-4.

Landon Wahl (Somerset, Pa./Somerset Area) took the loss, dropping to 0-2. Cacchione tossed a scoreless 1 2/3 innings of relief, retiring all five batters he faced.

Gannon evened its record at 5-5 with Friday's losses. Davenport also hit the even slate at 6-6 with the sweep. The Golden Knights conclude their Spring Trip Saturday, March 3 against Purdue University-North Central. The twinbill is scheduled for 10 a.m.