ERIE, Pa. – Two big hits and two strong pitching performances resulted in a doubleheader sweep for the Gannon University baseball team on Sunday afternoon.
Jared Bielanin (Erie, Pa./McDowell) launched a three-run homer and
Jake Visha (Cleveland, Ohio/Trinity) pitched six two-hit innings in Game 1, and
Ian Hess (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) ripped a two-run double in support of
Jacob Engel (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and
Jaret Boyer (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) in Game 2 as Gannon swept California (Pa.) 3-1 and 2-1 at McConnell Family Stadium.
The Golden Knights won three of four against the Vulcans over the weekend after the two teams split a doubleheader at California on Saturday. Coach
DJ Cannon's Gannon squad improved to 10-12 overall and raised its record in the PSAC West to 5-3.
Cal dropped to 10-11 overall and 1-7 in the conference.
Game 1:
Gannon 3, California 1: Visha, a left-hander, limited the Vulcans to two hits and one run over six-plus innings as he moved to 1-1 on the season. He struck out six and walked six. He left the game after walking the first two Vulcans batters in the seventh inning.
Corey Shields (Waterford, Pa./Fort LeBoeuf) then relieved Visha and retired the side on a strikeout, lineout, and popout. Shields earned the save.
Gannon was unable to score against Cal starter Nathan Holmes for the first 4 2/3 innings. However, with two outs in the bottom of the fifth,
Miguel Vega (Florida, Puerto Rico/Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy) reached on an error and
Ian Hess (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) singled to center field to put runners on the corners with Gannon trailing 1-0.
Bielanin, a junior third baseman, then blasted homer down the left-field line to give the Knights all of the runs they needed.
Hess and
Branden Myers (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) each had two hits to lead GU's seven-hit attack.
Game 2:
Gannon 2, California 1: The Golden Knights got all of the runs they needed with no outs in the first inning.
Trey Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny) and Vega opened the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles.
Ian Hess (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) then lined a ball up the right-center-field gap for a two-run double.
Gannon did not score again, but the Knights didn't need the insurance runs.
Engel, a freshman right-hander, pitched four innings while allowing one run on five hits. He was backed up by strong defense as he moved to 1-0 with his first collegiate pitching victory.
Boyer, a sophomore right-hander, then came on in relief and earned a three-inning save. He did not allow a hit while giving up only a hit-batsman to the second batter he faced. He retired the last eight Cal hitters in order.
Hess had two hits in Game 2 as he finished the doubleheader 4-for-6 from the plate.
