The Gannon baseball team swept a Friday doubleheader against Tiffin at EQT Park, taking Game 1 by a 4–3 margin before pulling away for a 7–2 victory in the nightcap.

With the sweep, the Golden Knights improved to 4–1 overall on the season.

Game 1 – Gannon 4, Tiffin 3
Gannon built an early lead and held off a late push to claim the opener of the doubleheader.

The Golden Knights struck first in the second inning on an RBI by Cainen Atherton (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union Area), before Wes Parker (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) homered to left field in the third to make it 2–0. Gannon added its final runs of Game 1 in the sixth inning when Ian Soto (Florida, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristiana de Manati) delivered a two-run home run, pushing the lead to 4–0 heading into the seventh.

Tiffin mounted a comeback in the final frame, scoring three runs, but Gannon's bullpen held firm. Ryan Hood (Latrobe, Pa./Derry Area) earned the win with 5.0 scoreless innings, and Logan Ayres (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) recorded the save to secure the one-run victory.

Game 2 – Gannon 7, Tiffin 2
Gannon jumped out early and never looked back in the nightcap, controlling the game from the opening inning.

Ian Soto (Florida, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristiana de Manati) got Game 2 started with a two-run RBI single to right field in the first inning to give the Golden Knights an early advantage. Gannon struck again in the third, as Hunter Troiano (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seneca Valley) lifted a sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI single from Brendan Koroly (Mars, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) and a sacrifice fly by Cainen Atherton (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union Area), extending the lead to 5–0.

The Golden Knights added their final runs of the day in the seventh inning when Soto launched a two-run home run, pushing the advantage to 7–1 and putting the game firmly out of reach. Soto finished the day with two home runs, going deep once in each game of the doubleheader.

On the mound, Jake Engel delivered a strong outing, allowing just one run over 7.0 innings to earn the win and improve to 2–0 on the season, while Ryan Bioni (Bridgeville, Pa./Chartiers Valley) worked the final two innings to close out the sweep.
 
THE KNIGHT CAP – GAME 1

• Atherton Starts It: Cainen Atherton (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union Area) drove in the first run of the game in the second inning to get the Golden Knights on the board.
• Parker Provides Power: Wes Parker (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) homered to left field in the third inning to make it 2–0.
• Soto Delivers Late: Ian Soto (Florida, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristiana de Manati) blasted a two-run home run in the sixth to give Gannon a 4–0 cushion heading into the seventh.
• Strong Start: Ryan Hood (Latrobe, Pa./Derry Area) tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out five to earn the win.
• Closing It Out: Logan Ayres (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) recorded the save as Gannon held off a late Tiffin rally.

THE KNIGHT CAP – GAME 2

• Fast Start: Ian Soto (Florida, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristiana de Manati) opened the scoring with a two-run RBI single to right field in the first inning.
• Adding On: Hunter Troiano (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seneca Valley) and Cainen Atherton (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union Area) each drove in runs with sacrifice flies in the third inning.
• Timely Hitting: Brendan Koroly (Mars, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) delivered an RBI single as part of a four-run third that pushed the lead to 5–0.
• Soto Does It Again: Soto capped the day with a two-run home run in the seventh to make it 7–1.
• Strong on the Mound: Jake Engel went 7.0 innings, allowing one run and improved to 2–0 on the season, while Ryan Bioni (Bridgeville, Pa./Chartiers Valley) finished it off.

UP NEXT
The Golden Knights will conclude the series on Saturday, February 28, against Tiffin in a doubleheader beginning at noon at EQT Park.

This story was written using the support of AI.