• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 31) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team claimed a split of its doubleheader with Mansfield on Saturday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Park, falling 6-4 in Game 1 before winning 7-4 in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 17-13 overall behind a 10-4 mark in home games. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers fall to 8-21 this season.

In Game 2, Cal U manufactured seven runs while collecting just four hits after the Mountaineers issued eight walks and committed three errors. Senior second baseman Kyle Bowser (Stoystown, Pa./North Star) anchored the offensive effort, going 2-for-3 with one double, three RBI and one run scored. Senior center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) and redshirt sophomore left fielder Giovanni Morales (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) each scored twice while combining for four walks, one hit by pitch and three stolen bases.

After the Mountaineers scored one run in the top of the third, the Vulcans answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-out, two-run single by Bowser to take a 2-1 lead. Cal U added to its lead in the fourth when redshirt freshman catcher Will Kaufman (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) drove in Morales from first with an RBI triple to left-center field, 3-1.

Mansfield countered with a run in the fifth before Cal U manufactured four runs on just one hit in the bottom of the inning. Handza started the rally with a walk and stole second before scoring on an RBI double by Bowser. After the Mountaineers made a pitching change, Bowser stole third and scored when the catcher's throw went into left field. With runners on the corners after two walks, junior AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) scored on a double steal and a throwing error on the play allowed Morales to advance to third before scoring on a balk.

In the sixth, the Mountaineers loaded the bases before junior Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) induced an inning-ending double play. Mansfield later cut the deficit to 7-4 by scoring a pair of runs in the seventh, including a solo homer by designated hitter Anthony Renz.

Freshman GJ Senchak (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) earned the win after allowing two runs (both earned) in 4.2 innings (79 pitches), while Petty registered the save (seventh career) after yielding two runs (both earned) in 2.1 innings of work. Mansfield starter Danny Brown (1-3) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (all earned) on three hits and six walks in 4.1 innings (82 pitches).

In Game 1, Mansfield led 2-0 before Cal U manufactured a run in the bottom of the fourth. Petty led off the inning with an infield single before advancing to third on a passed ball and wild pitch. He then scored on an RBI ground-out by Robinson to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Mountaineers countered with three runs in the top of the fifth to increase their lead to 5-1 before sophomore Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) posted a solo homer, his second of the year, in the bottom of the inning. Both teams then scored one run in the sixth with Bowser collecting an RBI on a fielder's choice, 6-2.

In the seventh, Cal U opened the inning with a wild pitch on a strikeout and back-to-back singles to load the bases. Mansfield then retired the next two batters before Morales scored on a fielding error. The game later ended on a fly-out with the bases loaded.

Junior Kyle Thomas (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs (both earned) on six hits in 4.0 innings (51 pitches). Mountaineers' starter Joe Candelmo (2-5) earned the win after yielding three runs (two earned) in 5.2 innings (86 pitches), while Andy Young recorded the save after tossing 1.1 innings of relief.

Cal U returns to divisional play next weekend with a four-game series against Clarion, beginning with a road doubleheader on Friday, April 6, at 1 p.m.