• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 29) – Behind a two-hit, complete-game shutout by senior Ryan MacNamara (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle) in Game 2 on Friday afternoon, the Vulcans clinched a berth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament by splitting a doubleheader against IUP in divisional play at CONSOL Energy Park.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 26-16 overall with an 11-10 mark in league play. The Vulcans maintain their 0.5-game lead over the Crimson Hawks for third place in divisional standings. Meanwhile, IUP also clinched a berth in the PSAC Tournament by winning Game 1 on Friday are now 19-25 overall and 11-11 in league action.

In Game 2, MacNamara improved to 5-3 after tossing his first complete game this season. He limited the Crimson Hawks to only two hits and two walks in 7.0 innings (101 pitches) and allowed only three runners to advance into scoring position.

After IUP threatened in the first, the Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a two-out RBI single by junior designated hitter Kyle Bowser (Stoystown, Pa./North Star). Working with the lead, MacNamara retired nine-straight hitters before second baseman Mike Lupia reached on a two-base error in the fourth and advanced to third before the inning ended with a ground-out.

Cal U stranded a runner into scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings before expanding its lead to 3-0 with two runs on three hits in the top of the seventh. Sophomore catcher Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before moving to third on a single by sophomore second baseman Evan King (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg). Senior third baseman Aaron Ordy (Butler, Pa./Butler) then delivered a triple down the left-field line that scored Petty and King.

In the bottom of the seventh, MacNamara hit the first batter of the inning before Ordy made a leaping catch for the first out. After a foul-out, MacNamara registered a strikeout to close out the game and clinch a post-season berth for the defending-PSAC Champion Vulcans.

King collected his team-leading 16th multi-hit game of the season, finishing 2-for-3 with one run and one steal.

IUP starter Craig Hibell suffered the loss after allowing one run (earned) on three hits and four walks in 5.0-plus innings (82 pitches).

In Game 1, the Vulcans rallied to take a 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh before the Crimson Hawks answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to claim the win on a walk-off wild pitch, 6-5. Junior Ryan Hulme (Aliquippa, Pa./Center) suffered the loss in relief after allowing the game-winning run in 0.1 inning of work. Sophomore starter Kyle Thomas (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) took a no-decision after yielding three runs (all earned) on four hits and three walks in 2.1 innings.

After a scoreless first, Cal U took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second on two hits and two walks. Senior shortstop Casey Teagarden (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) started the inning with a double and scored on a fielder's choice. Petty then scored when the Vulcans executed a double steal before junior center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) collected a two-out single.

IUP countered with a run in the second before third baseman Vern Powell belted a two-run homer (first of the season) in the third to tie the game, 3-3. The Crimson Hawks then took a 4-3 lead in the fourth on a two-out double by shortstop Robbie Zinsmeister.

In the top of the seventh, the Vulcans scored two runs on two singles, two walks and one error to take a 5-4 lead. The rally started with a one-out walk before freshman Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) collected a two-run, pinch-hit single with the bases loaded.

IUP then started the bottom of the inning with a single and double by Zinsmeister to tie the game, 5-5. After an intentional walk and single loaded the bases, Hulme was able to prevent the run from scoring by inducing a fielder's choice before throwing a wild pitch that allowed the winning run to score.

The Vulcans collected 11 steals in the loss, including three by Petty and two by Ordy and Bowser.

Crimson Hawks' reliever Ryan Sylvia (1-0) earned the win after registering a strikeout to end the seventh.

Cal U returns to the diamond tomorrow, Saturday, April 30, when it hosts a doubleheader against IUP on Senior Day. The games at CONSOL Energy Park are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available by clicking here.