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Taylor Brown

Baseball 4/4/2024 10:36:00 PM Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Game Preview: Golden Knights Look to Cool Down Vulcans in Four-Game Series

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (3-18, 1-7 PSAC West) at CALIFORNIA (PA) VULCANS (17-6, 6-2 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Friday, April 5, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.
BALLPARK/LOCATION: Wild Things Stadium l Washington, Pa.
LIVE STATS

CALIFORNIA (PA) VULCANS (17-6, 6-2 PSAC West) at GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (3-18, 1-7 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 7, 2024 | 1:00 p.m.
BALLPARK/LOCATION: McConnell Family Stadium l Erie, Pa.
LIVE VIDEO l LIVE STATS

ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon baseball team returns to action this weekend with a four-game set against California (Pa.). The Vulcans enter in a tie for first place in the PSAC West along with Indiana (Pa.).

Cal (Pa.) will host the opening two games on Friday, April 5 at Wild Things Park in Washington, Pa. The two teams will then meet in Erie at McConnell Family Stadium on Sunday, April 7. First pitch for Friday is set for 2 p.m., and the first pitch for Sunday is 1 p.m. with the second game to follow each day.

Third-year head coach DJ Cannon has worked to nurture a young squad that has also battled several injuries to key performers. It has led to a youthful lineup and a patched-up rotation.

Gannon last played on Monday and dropped a pair of games to Pitt-Johnstown. The Golden Knights come in at 3-18 overall and 1-7 in the PSAC West. They have been a team that has constantly battled back but is just 1-6 in one-run games.

The Vulcans own a 17-6 record and are 6-2 in league play after being chosen fourth in the Western Division preseason poll, one spot ahead of Gannon. They come off a four-game split with No. 25 Seton Hill last weekend.

One encouraging factor for Cannon has been the bats coming alive of late. First baseman/designated hitter Justin Kerestes (Loves Park, Ill./Boylan Central Catholic) leads the way with a .298 batting average with three doubles. Sophomore outfielder Carson Wible (Franklin, Pa./Franklin) comes in at .273 and leads the team with two home runs and 15 RBIs. Freshman shortstop Alex Bemis (Monroe, Ohio/Monroe) is also hitting .273. Senior third baseman Jared Bielanin (Erie, Pa./McDowell) has driven in 14 runs while hitting .270.

Senior second baseman Miguel Vega (Florida, Puerto Rico/Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy) looks to gain sole possession of the career record for stolen bases this weekend. Vega boosted his total to 68 on Monday vs. Pitt-Johnstown, tying Clint Page for the school record.

Cal has posted some impressive numbers. The Vulcans are hitting .302 as a team but even more impressive is a team ERA of 2.72. Santino Marra and Caleb Collins lead Cal with batting averages of .361 and .358, respectively, with Marra driving in a team-high 21 runs.

Michael Valente is the team's top starter. A sophomore righthander, he has a 4-0 record with a 1.75 ERA. Valente has only struck out 18 in 36 innings, but he has allowed just four walks.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Jared Bielanin: INF; 6' 2"; Senior; R/R

#33 Justin Kerestes: 1B; 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior; L/R

#5 Miguel Vega: INF; 5' 8"; Senior; L/R

#10 Carson Wible: OF; 5' 11"; Sophomore; R/R

#6 Alex Bemis: INF/RHP; 5' 11"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#12 Jared Bielanin
: 6' 2"; Senior; R/R
: INF

#33 Justin Kerestes
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior; L/R
: 1B

#5 Miguel Vega
: 5' 8"; Senior; L/R
: INF

#10 Carson Wible
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#6 Alex Bemis
: 5' 11"; Freshman; R/R
: INF/RHP