WASHINGTON, Pa. - The 10th-ranked Mercyhurst University baseball team saw its 11-game winning streak come to an end on Friday afternoon as the Vulcans of California (Pa.) held on for a 5-4 victory in the opening game of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West doubleheader. The Lakers rebounded in game two, behind the strong pitching of redshirt senior Jon Klein, blanking the Vulcans, 1-0. The Lakers moved to 26-2 overall and 16-2 in the PSAC Western Division standings. California (Pa.) moved to 15-15 overall and 11-7 in conference play.

Redshirt sophomore Colin McKee took the mound in game one and allowed only six hits, but the Vulcans made the most of their opportunities after going 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The righthander went the distance and allowed five runs, walked three, and struck out five. It was his first loss of the season (5-1).

The Lakers let an opportunity slip away in the top of the first inning against California starter, Justin Taylor. Senior Angel Martinez led off the inning with a single and then advanced to second on a base hit by junior Austin Alonge. After junior Brendan Cox bunted both runners ahead 90 feet, Taylor struck out junior Dan Popio and senior Giancarlo Saia to end the inning.

California scored a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Matt Peters, who went 2-for-3 against McKee in the contest.

But, the Lakers responded with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. Martinez started the rally with a one-out single and then came around to score on a two-run home run by Alonge - his third of the season.

The Vulcans, however, got the two runs back and them some in the home half of the third. California scored four times on three hits with the damage coming on successive at bats by Chris Wastchak and Jared Grove. Wastchak gave the Vulcans a 3-2 lead with a two-run double and then scored on the first home run of the season from Grove for a 5-2 California advantage.

McKee settled down, allowing just one baserunner over the final three innings, to give the Lakers a chance to chip away.

Saia pulled the Lakers to within a run at 5-4 with a two-out, two-run triple in the top of the fifth inning. However, with Saia at third, Taylor was able to prevent further damage when he got junior Hank Morrison to fly out to end the inning.

Mercyhurst could not get a baserunner over the final two innings and suffered just its second loss of the season.

The Lakers outhit the Vulcans, 10-6, but were just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Alonge led the way with three hits in four trips while scoring twice and driving in a pair.

Klein took the bump in game two and improved to 6-0 on the season, scattering seven hits over six and one-third innings. He walked one and struck out six. Junior Ben Nolan recorded the final two outs for his first save of the season.

Mercyhurst provided Klein the only run he would need in the top of the third inning when senior catcher Jake Marinelli scored on a wild pitch. Marinelli led off the inning with a walk.

Klein had to throw goose eggs because California's Jack Dennis shut down the Laker offense. Dennis allowed only five hits while walking two and striking out three. Dennis, however, suffered the loss and dropped to 2-1 on the season.

Sophomore Cameron Balego led the Lakers with a pair of hits.

Klein continues to be impressive as he lowered his season earned run average to 0.47. The righthander has allowed two earned runs (four total) in 38.1 innings. He has walked six and struck out 55.

The two teams will reconvene at the Mercyhurst Baseball Field on Saturday afternoon. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.