ERIE, Pa. – Gannon's two through four hitters combined to go 11-for-13 with nine runs and 15 RBIs during a 20-4 victory that capped another Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division baseball sweep against Clarion Sunday afternoon at Gannon University Field. The Golden Knights opened the conference doubleheader with an 8-2 win. In the process, Gannon moved into sole possession of first place in the PSAC Western Division after the first two weekends of conference play.
Sunday's victories capped a tremendous weekend for Gannon which produced its first four-game sweep since taking all four games against Clarion April 2-3, 2010. As a result, the Golden Knights are off to a 6-2 start in conference play for the first time since 2010 and have a five-game winning streak for the first time since being victorious in six consecutive games March 28-April 3, 2010.
The latest four-game sweep of Clarion came mostly on the heels of offensive firepower. Gannon scored 47 runs and pounded out 52 hits during the four-game series. It marked the first time since at least 1999 the Golden Knights scored 47 runs during a four-game series and scored 20 runs in a game twice during the same season.
In the nightcap, Gannon scored immediately on
Michael Tomko's (Sharon, Pa./Sharon) two-run triple to left center during the first inning. The Golden Knights extended their lead to 6-0 with four more runs during the second frame. Tomko and
Evan Baglieri (Niagara Falls, Ontario/St. Michael's) had RBI singles while the other two runs scored on a wild pitch and a
Tim Lipp (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) sacrifice fly.
A Lipp two-run double was followed by Baglieri's RBI single during a three-run fourth inning, increasing the lead to 9-1.
The sixth inning was the final straw for Clarion. Leading 9-3, Gannon sent 14 batters to the plate while scoring 11 runs on nine hits. Big hits during the eruption included a
Nico Baldelli (Ellwood, Pa./Riverside) two-run single, another Tomko two-run triple and a Baglieri two-run bomb that landed well beyond the leftfield fence.
Tomko drove in six runs during the second game, matching his career-high for the second time this season. He finished 4-for-5 and scored three runs. Baglieri also went 4-for-5 with two runs and five RBIs. Lipp was a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs and four RBIs in the second spot of the line-up.
Dylan Schwegler (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell Area) completed Gannon's group of multi-hit performances with a 2-for-3 showing, scoring three times and driving in one run.
David Spaeder (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) improved to 2-0 on the mound, allowing two earned runs on seven hits in six innings. The redshirt sophomore struck out three and walked three.
Phil Cacchione (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep) pitched the seventh inning, surrendering one unearned run on one hit.
In the opener, Gannon took charge with a four-run second inning. Baldelli and
Michael Brosius (North Tonawanda, N.Y./North Tonawanda) had RBI singles, before Lipp added a two-run double with two outs.
Clarion cut the deficit in half during the bottom of the inning, but Gannon eventually pulled away with one run in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth. Brosius' sacrifice fly drove home the run in the fifth.
Terry Carson (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) had the big hit in the sixth with a two-run single.
Eric Bradley (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant) capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Eight of the nine starters recorded a hit during Gannon's 10-hit attack in the opener. Lipp and Carson both went 2-for-3 with one run and two RBIs. Baglieri scored twice while Brosius drove home a pair of Golden Knights.
Matt Tobin (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep) evened his record to 2-2 with his second complete game of the season, giving up two runs on five hits. The true freshman struck out four and walked two.
Gannon improved to 14-10 overall and 6-2 in the PSAC Western Division with its fifth consecutive victory, moving into first place. Clarion dropped to 5-11 overall and 4-4 in conference action. The Golden Knights return to action Tuesday, March 27 against Alderson-Broaddus at Gannon University Field. The non-conference doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.
