PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. – The Centenary University baseball team exploded for 40 runs in a doubleheader sweep of Valley Forge University in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action on Monday afternoon.

The Cyclones hit four home runs and Tyler Martinez struck out five in game one's 22-7 win. The top four batters in the Centenary lineup combined for nine RBIs and 10 runs scored and Jared Miller struck out five in the game two 18-1 victory.

"These type of days makes coaches anxious as we were shorthanded on the road, following a day off," said head coach Scott Kushner. "Baseball is a game built on routines and everything about our routine was disrupted today. Fortunately, the players were unfazed and jumped on opportunities early and often in both games."

Kushner added, "In game one, Nicholas Gattuso and James Howlett were locked in and the entire lineup found ways to chip in. In game two, Christopher Gass and Paul Links were squaring everything up. Martinez and Miller were effective and efficient. They were in total control all game and pitched ahead and used a full mix of pitches."

Game One Recap (Cyclones Win 22-7): The Cyclones wasted little time in getting to work in their first road test of the season. Centenary put five runs on the board in the top of the first inning. Gattuso stroked a two-run double to left before second baseman Anthony Vassallo launched his first career home run, a three-run shot.

Centenary tacked on three more runs in the second for an 8-0 advantage. Right fielder Jon Fleck had a solo home run before Gattuso delivered a two-run single.

The Cyclones scored three more runs in the top of the third and led 11-0 in the contest.

Valley Forge got two back in the bottom of the third and made it an 11-2 game.

Centenary extended its lead to 14-2 through five innings.

In the sixth, first baseman Brandon Smith launched his first career home run, a two-run shot, and the lead grew to 16-2.

The two teams continued to battle as Centenary took a 21-6 lead after eight innings of action.

The Cyclones weren't done yet as Smith smacked his second round tripper of the game, this time to right field in the top of the ninth.

Valley Forge added one run in the bottom of the ninth as Centenary claimed the 22-7 win.

Martinez picked up his second win of the season on the mound for the Cyclones. He went seven strong innings and struck out five. Allan Goodwin took the loss for Valley Forge after giving up 10 runs in two innings.

Gattuso was an impressive 5-for-7 at the plate to lead the Cyclones. His five base knocks are tied for second in single-game history at Centenary. He also added four RBIs, three runs scored and two stolen bases. Howlett went 4-for-4 at the dish with two runs scored. Links was 2-for-5 with two runs scored while Smith went 2-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBIs.

Game Two Recap (Cyclones Win 18-1): Centenary went right back to work in game two and put a four-spot on the board in the top of the first. Howlett had a single that plated two in the inning.

Centenary pushed its lead to 8-0 after three innings with three in the second and one in the third. Links had an RBI single and an RBI double in that stretch for the Cyclones.

Valley Forge put one on the board with a solo home run in the sixth.

The Cyclones responded with a 10 spot in the top of the seventh inning. Fleck had a sac fly in the inning and later added a grand slam. Also, in the inning Gass launched a two-run home run the first of his career.

Centenary claimed the 18-1 victory.  

Miller went six strong innings to pick up his first win of the year. He allowed just one run and struck out five. Nick Guiro pitched a scoreless seventh for the Cyclones. Kaben Lentzner took the loss for Valley Forge after giving up eight runs in five innings.

Gass was a perfect 4-for-4 at the dish with three runs scored and two RBIs while Fleck had just one hit but five RBIs and three runs scored. Links finished with three hits and two RBIs.

Centenary is back in action on Saturday, April 10 when it travels to Clarks Summit for a doubleheader at 12 p.m.