Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

WASHINGTON, Pa. - Sophomore Dan Popio's RBI double with two outs in the top of the seventh inning of game one broke a 2-2 tie and lifted the Mercyhurst University baseball team to a 3-2 victory in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Vulcans of California (Pa.). The Vulcans responded with a 5-0 victory in game two, as the teams played to a split for the second consecutive day. Mercyhurst moved to 20-10 overall and 12-6 in the PSAC Western Division while California moved to 20-15 overall and 8-10 in league play.

Popio laced a double to left field on the tenth pitch of his at bat against Vulcan game one starter Justin Taylor. The California righthander got ahead in the count, 1-2, before Popio fouled off five pitches before driving home the winning run in the form of senior Joe Pantano, who started the rally with a leadoff single. The double capped off a 3-for-3 performance by the Youngstown, Ohio native.

Erie native, junior Joe Gnacinski, was in complete control until the bottom of the sixth, allowing only three baserunners (two hits, one walk) through the first five innings. However, the Vulcans tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth with a pair of runs on two hits and two walks against the righthander. Gnacinski, thanks to Popio's heroics in the seventh, improved to 4-0 on the season. He allowed two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out two.

Sophomore Colin McKee pitched a perfect seventh inning, including two strikeouts, to pick up his fourth save of the season and his second in the four-game series against California.

Mercyhurst gave Gnacinski a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning courtesy of RBI singles by Popio and redshirt junior Ryan Siegel.

Popio went 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs in the victory. Pantano went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored from the leadoff spot.

In the nightcap, senior Tanner Delahoy was given the ball and looked good through the first three innings after allowing only one baserunner - a third-inning single by Chuck Gasti - through the first three innings.

But, in the fourth, Delahoy was touched up for four runs on two hits and two hit batters as the Vulcans took a 4-0 lead. The big blow of the frame was a bases-clearing double by David Marcus.

Delahoy then allowed a solo home run to John Orr in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Vulcans extended the advantage to 5-0.

Redshirt junior Jordan Bray pitched a perfect sixth inning in relief of Delahoy, who suffered his first loss of the season (4-1). He allowed five runs on five hits while walking one and striking out four.

Mercyhurst, however, could not break through against California starter Cory Craig and two relievers. The Lakers could muster only four hits in the nightcap, one each by Popio, Pantano, sophomore Brendan Cox, and junior Giancarlo Saia.

The Lakers return to action on Tuesday, April 15 with a road doubleheader at Indiana (Pa.). First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.