• Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (Feb. 28) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team had the game-tying run on third base in the ninth on Tuesday afternoon before suffering a 7-6 loss to West Liberty at CONSOL Energy Park.

With their second loss in as many days, the Vulcans fall to 6-3 this season. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers improve to 1-0 after winning their season-opener.

Cal U took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by junior AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle). The Vulcans then added a pair of runs in the second to stretch their lead to 3-0. Sophomore left fielder Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) lined a double down the left-field line and scored when sophomore designated hitter Joey Borrelli (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) reached base on a fielding error. Cal U later had runners on second and third before sophomore Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) delivered a two-out, RBI single through the left side.

In the third, senior second baseman Kyle Bowser (Stoystown, Pa./North Star) reached on a one-out single and advanced two bases on a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly. West Liberty scored a pair of runs in the fifth and appeared to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the sixth. However, the Vulcans won an appeal at second base on a sacrifice fly that negated the Hilltoppers' second run of the inning. Cal U added an insurance run in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead when senior center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) collected an RBI single that scored Carson.

After a scoreless seventh, the Hilltoppers seized control of the game in the eighth by scoring four runs with two outs. With the bases loaded, West Liberty scored on a passed ball before catcher Hayden Mobley tied the game with a two-run single to the right-center field gap. Mobley later scored the eventual, game-winning run on an RBI single by center fielder Mike Johnson.

The Vulcans threatened in the eighth by loading the bases with one out before the Hilltoppers induced an inning-ending double play. In the bottom of the ninth, Bowser led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a stolen base and sacrifice bunt. However, West Liberty kept the tying run at third by forcing a ground-out and fly-out to end the game.

Senior Pat Gannon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper Saint Clair) suffered the loss after allowing one run (earned) while facing only two batters. Classmate Jim Kirker (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette), who made his first start since March 2010, took a no-decision after yielding three runs (none earned) on four hits in 5.0 innings (80 pitches). West Liberty's Kelly Emmerling earned the victory after tossing 1.1 innings of relief, while Mike Roach recorded the save. The Hilltoppers used eight pitchers in the win with none pitching more than 1.2 innings.

Bowser was one of four Cal U players to post a multiple hits game, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three steals. Carson went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three steals in the loss.

The Vulcans return to action on Saturday, March 3, when they host No. 10 Millersville for a doubleheader at CONSOL Energy Park, starting at 1 p.m.