• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 27) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team scored a combined 22 runs in a doubleheader sweep of Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play at CONSL Energy Park, winning 10-6 and 12-3.

With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 31-14 overall behind a 13-7 mark in divisional action. Cal U is now in a first-place tie with Gannon in the PSAC West standings with four games left in league play. Meanwhile, The Rock drops to 29-17 this season with an 11-9 record in divisional action.

In Game 1, sophomore shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) paced the offensive effort by going 4-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored. Junior center fielder Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) collected two hits and two RBI, while junior third baseman Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny) added a pair of hits and scored twice in the victory. Senior first baseman Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) belted a three-run homer, his fifth of the year, and finished with four RBI.

Slippery Rock scored one run in both the first and second before scoring a pair of runs in the top of the third, 4-0. The Vulcans answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning behind five singles and one walk. Carson delivered an RBI single with runners on the corners and Zeroski scored on a fielder's choice before senior designated hitter AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) delivered a two-out RBI single.

In the bottom of the fourth, Cal U claimed a 9-4 lead after scoring six runs on six hits. Carson posted another RBI single before Petty followed with a three-run homer. Peters later lined a double to right-center field that allowed Robinson to score from first before junior right fielder Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) added a two-out, RBI single through the left side. The Rock trimmed into the deficit with two runs in the fifth before the Vulcans countered in the sixth with a two-out RBI single by freshman left fielder Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler), 10-6.

Sophomore starter Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle), the reigning PSAC West Pitcher of the Week, earned his fourth-straight victory after allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits in 7.0 innings (105 pitches). Slippery Rock sophomore Kyle Schneider (5-4) suffered the loss after being roughed up for nine runs (all earned) on 12 hits and two walks in 3.2 innings (92 pitches).

In Game 2, six different Vulcans posted a pair of hits in the victory. Carson finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and one run scored, while Robinson went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs. Peters and junior left fielder John Orr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) both collected two hits, scored twice and registered one RBI. Petty and sophomore catcher Will Kaufman (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) each added multi-hit games with one RBI and one run.

After Slippery Rock scored one run in the top of the second, Cal U answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-1 lead. Robinson opened the inning with a solo homer, his second of the year, before Orr and Gasti later delivered back-to-back RBI singles.

The Rock tied the game with two runs in the third before the Vulcans seized control of the game in the fourth with seven runs on five hits and two walks. Kaufman posted an RBI infield single with the bases loaded before Orr scored on a sacrifice fly. Following a walk, Carson lined a two-run single to left field before Robinson later delivered an RBI double. Peters added an RBI single in his second plate appearance of the inning to stretch the lead to 10-3. Cal U added a pair of runs with two outs in the fifth behind an RBI triple by Carson and an RBI single by Petty.

Fennell improved to 5-3 this year after yielding three runs (one earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts in 7.0 innings (94 pitches). Slippery Rock starter Jon Anderson (4-1) was saddled with the loss after allowing seven runs (five earned) on five hits and one walk in 3.0-plus innings (76 pitches).

Cal U returns to action on Friday, May 3, when it opens a four-game weekend series with a doubleheader at IUP, starting at 1 p.m.