Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ERIE, Pa. - First, the good news: Mercyhurst erupted for five hits and six first-inning runs in the opener of a doubleheader Friday before holding on for a 6-4 victory over California University of Pa. Now, the bad news: The Lakers were held scoreless and collected only seven more hits over the final 12 innings as the Vulcans left Erie with a split, winning the nightcap 4-0. Mercyhurst, ranked fifth in the region, completed the day with an overall record of 19-9 and a  Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) mark of 11-5. California is now 19-14 and 7-9 respectively.

Sophomore Dan Popio's single drove in the first run for Mercyhurst. Junior Giancarlo Saia's double down the left line plated two more before sophomore Hank Morrison finished the damage with a 3-run homer to left. All the scoring came against Cal starter Luke Burton (2-1), who went the distance. Morrison now has two homers, tied  for first on the team, and 21 runs-batted-in, good for third. Prior to the second game shutout, Morrison had hit both his homeruns and driven in eight runs over a three-game span.

Junior Dan Altavilla benefited from the early help as he improved to 5-0. The junior from Greenock, Pa. allowed eight hits and four runs, three earned, in six-plus innings. He left in the seventh, however, with the bases loaded and no outs, after throwing 123 pitches. Sophomore reliever Colin McKee walked in a run, but induced a strike out and a double play ball to record his third save. Altavilla struck out 12 during his time on the mound and walked two.  

Sophomore Brendan Cox and junior Angel Martinez joined Popio and Saia with two hits apiece.

California broke up a scoreless second game in the top of the fifth by tallying three runs against Mercyhurst  junior, Jon Klein (3-4). One run scored on an infield error,  Mick Fennell knocked in the second with a double while John Orr's base hit scored Fennell. Cal finished the scoring in the seventh thanks to an RBI single by Derrik Zeroski.

Meanwhile, the Lakers were held to two hits, a single by Ryan Siegel and a two-bagger by Brendan Cox, by Vulcan starter Jack Dennis (4-2). Dennis's complete game included two walks and four strikeouts.

Klein allowed ten hits, nine singles, in going the distance. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter.

The Vulcans will entertain the Lakers for a pair of games tomorrow.