• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 11) – The No. 26 Vulcans posted a pair of one-run victories, 13-12 and 7-6, to earn a doubleheader sweep against rival Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday at CONSOL Energy Park in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action.

The sweep improves the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team to 27-8 overall and 12-2 in league play. Meanwhile, IUP falls to 14-18 overall and 7-11 in divisional action.

The opening game featured a 25 combined runs and 25 combined hits with Cal U winning 13-12 walk-off fashion. In the bottom of the seventh, freshman left fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) hit a RBI single that scored senior catcher Stephen Hermann (Levelgreen, Pa./Penn-Trafford) from second base.

Early in the game, IUP jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead before Cal U answered with four runs in the bottom of the third inning. Junior right fielder Sam DiMatteo (Center, Pa./Center) lined a two-run double in the inning before scoring on a two-out, two-run single by senior shortstop Shayne Busti (Crucible, Pa./Carmichaels). After the Crimson Hawks scored a run in the fourth, the Vulcans countered with a six-run inning behind two homers to take a 10-9 lead. Hermann started the run scoring with a two-run longball (eighth of the season) off the left field scoreboard. Later in the fourth, senior third baseman Mike Schmidt (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) belted a two-out grand slam (fourth homer of the season) to right-center field.

Cal U added a pair of runs in the sixth to increase its lead to 12-9. Senior centerfielder Jon Selby (New Brighton, Pa./New Brighton) posted a RBI double before scoring on a sacrifice fly later in the inning. In the top of the seventh, the Crimson Hawks tied the game with three runs off Schmidt on four-straight singles and an error, 12-12. Hermann started the seventh-inning rally for Cal U with a one-out infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch before scoring on Handza's game-winning single.

Schmidt (2-0) earned the win after working the final inning, while senior Shane Melhorn (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing the game-winning run. The Vulcans roughed up IUP starter Colby Betz, the PSAC leader in ERA at 1.08, for 10 runs (six earned) on eight hits and four walks for his worst outing of the season.

Four Cal U players recorded multi-RBI games, while Hermann, Handza and designated hitter Chuck Faust (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) all collected two hits.

The nightcap continued the excitement as two teams combined for four lead changes before the Vulcans claimed a 7-6 victory.

Cal U plated three runs in the bottom of the first before IUP countered with a five-run third inning to take a 5-3 lead. The Vulcans regained the lead, 6-5, with a three runs in the fourth. Faust started the inning with a solo homer (fourth of the season) before three-straight singles loaded the bases. Busti posted a RBI single in the inning while Schmidt registered a RBI on a groundout.

The Crimson Hawks evened the contest at 6-6 in the fifth before reliever Nick Schreiber (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle Antrim) induced a double play and another groundout to end the inning. Cal U again had the bases loaded in the fifth before Selby lined a RBI single into centerfield, scoring the eventual game-winning run.

Schreiber (2-3) earned the win after tossing three scoreless innings of relief, allowing only two hits. Junior Steve Mondschein (2-1) suffered the loss for IUP, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 12 hits and three walks.

In the nightcap, the 1-4 hitters for Cal U all posted multi-hit games and Selby and Schmidt each had two RBI.

The Vulcans return to action on Monday, April 13, when they conclude their regular-season series against the Crimson Hawks with a road doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Indiana, Pa.