LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University baseball team (19-31, 11-11 PSAC West) played an emotionally charged doubleheader today on “Senior Day” and the Bald Eagles punched their tickets to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs with a sweep against divisional opponent Gannon University (7-33, 4-18 PSAC West) at a packed Foundation Field this afternoon.

The Bald Eagles took game one, 3-0 and completed the sweep with a 7-2 win in game two.

It marks the first time in seven years that The Haven has qualified for post-season play.

The sweep and first trip back to the playoffs since 2002 was almost as big as the news between game one and two, when Lock Haven President Keith T. Miller huddled the team together by their dugout and announced that he would continue the program through 2010 season.

That announcement would prove to be the all the motivation LHU needed to secure the game two victory and a spot in the upcoming PSAC playoffs.

Andrew Simonik (Jerymn, Pa./Lakeland High School) pitched a gem on the mound in game one, as he baffled GU hitters and gave up only two hits. He walked four and struck out six on his way to the complete-game win.

Simonk also had a strong defense behind him, as the team fielded back-to-back double plays to end any threats by Gannon in the first and second innings.

Matt McCamley (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola) broke the scoreless draught in the bottom of the fourth inning with a RBI-single that scored teammate Mark Strouse (Milford,Pa./Delaware Valley).

The Haven added two insurance runs in the bottom of sixth inning, giving LHU the three-run lead.

Evan Petro (Johnstown,Pa./Richland) started off the inning with a single that eventually turned in a run for Lock Haven when Strouse reached base on a throwing error by Gannon. Strouse would return the favor by scoring on a Zach Schuler (York Haven, Pa./Spring Grove) fielder’s choice.

Simonik would retire the side in the top of the seventh to wrap up the game-one win.

Game two’s 7-2 victory was due in large part to the all-around solid play of the Bald Eagle squad.

The defense would turn two more double plays throughout the contest to bring the afternoon total to five.

McCamley started off the LHU offense in game two with a RBI-single in the bottom of the first inning.

Petro and Schuler continued their strong play in game two, with Petro going 3-for-4 with one RBI and Schuler going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, including a solo shot over the left field wall in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Strouse and Ted Stake (Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley) ended their senior campaign at home adding one RBI each in the win, as both came off sacrifice flies.

Jordan Yohn (Three Springs, Pa./South Huntingdon) took control of the mound in game two, giving up only two runs off 10 hits. He struck out seven in the complete-game win.

The Bald Eagles return to action tomorrow (Saturday, April 25) when they travel to Gannon University for doubleheader action to wrap up PSAC Western division and regular season play. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.