THE GAME FACTS
ERIE, PA - The weather finally cooperated for the Gannon baseball team, as GU hosted their home opening doubleheader on Sunday. Two decidedly different games played out, with Gannon falling in an offensive slugfest in game one, 10-9 before making a four run seventh inning comeback to take game two, 4-3 and force a series split.
THE KNIGHTCAP - GAME 1
- Early Fire: Wes Parker (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) started off the game with a three run home run to put the Golden Knights up 3-0 early. It was his fourth homer of the year.
- Late Rally: Clarion would respond with 10 unanswered runs, but Gannon forged together a come back late in the game. Connor Smith (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) started off the rally with a solo homer in the fourth, and the Golden Knights cut the deficit to 10-7 heading into the fifth. An RBI groundout from Matt Smith (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area), made it a one run game but Hunter Troiano (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seneca Valley) popped up to first to end the game.
- Other Offense & Notes: Five Gannon players had multiple hits in the game … Parker ended with four RBI's … Gannon turned a pair of double plays.
- On the Bump: Nolan Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) (0-4) took the loss, allowing nine runs on 10 hits in three innings of work. Ryan Bioni (Bridgeville, Pa./Chartiers Valley) surrendered just one run in three frames, striking out three.
THE KNIGHTCAP - GAME 2
- Walk-Off Heroics: Gannon's bats managed just four hits through the first six frames. Then, in the seventh, the bats came alive. Connor Smith (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) singled to start the inning and Cainen Atherton (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union Area) walked right after. When Drew Stangelo (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) was hit by a pitch, the Golden Knights pierced the scoreboard when Dom Costello (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted) reached on an error at second, pushing a run across. Hunter Troiano (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seneca Valley) followed with a single that plated a pair, and the game was tied 3-3. Head coach DJ Cannon opted to pinch hit Nick Walker (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) in the three spot and the lefty delivered, lining a walk-off RBI single to right on the very first pitch he saw. The win helped Gannon salvage a series split.
- Paul's Strong Effort: Freshman Dylan Paul (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) was strong in middle learning relief for Gannon. The righty tossed 3 1/3 innings and allowed just one run and two hits, striking out four hitters.
- Other Notes: The walk-off is the first of the season for the Golden Knights ... Gannon had three hits in the seventh after having just four through the first six innings ... Dom Costello (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted) and Hunter Troiano (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seneca Valley) had two hits each ... Gannon's pitching forced Clarion to leave seven runners on base in the game.
Next Up
Gannon will remain at home to face D'Youville in a non-conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm on Tuesday, March 31st.
