• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score
• Photo Gallery

WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 10) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team split a doubleheader against Salem International on Monday afternoon, winning 10-6 in Game 1 before falling 2-1 in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 4-5 this season and has now split all four of their doubleheaders. Meanwhile, Salem International moves to 1-11 overall.

In Game 1, Cal U set season highs with 10 runs scored and six stolen bases while also tying its season-best total of 11 hits. Senior center fielder Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California), junior shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) and sophomore third baseman Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler) each collected a pair of hits in the victory and Fennell also scored twice. Sophomore designated hitter David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) finished with a pair of RBI while hitting cleanup.

Cal U manufactured a run in the bottom of the first after Carson opened the inning with a single. Following a sacrifice bunt, Carson stole third and scored on an RBI double down the left field line by Peters. The Vulcans added three runs in the second behind three hits and one throwing error. Fennell reached on an infield single and stole second before scoring on an RBI double by senior first baseman Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny). Following a walk and stolen base by Zeroski, junior catcher Will Kaufman (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) executed a squeeze bunt before freshman left fielder Shane Heim (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) advanced to third on a throwing error on failed pickoff attempt. Caron then delivered an RBI single through the left side.

The Tigers countered by loading the bases in the fourth on three-straight, one-out singles. SIU managed a run on a fielder's choice before the inning ended with a strikeout. The Tigers added a run in the top of the fifth before the Vulcans answered by batting around and scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning. Marcus lined a two-run triple and senior right fielder Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) followed with an RBI single up the middle. Following another single and sacrifice bunt, senior Chad Crockett (Gilmanton, N.H./Gilford) delivered a pinch-hit RBI single and Fennell scored on a sacrifice fly.

SIU batted around in the sixth and trimmed the deficit to 9-6 after scoring four runs on five hits and one error. With runners on first and second and no outs, junior reliever Luke Burton (Ambridge, Pa./Ambridge) retired the first two batters he faced before the Tigers scored three runs (two earned) after the next three hitters reached base safely. Cal U loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning before junior Giovanni Morales (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) scored on a wild pitch.

Junior starter Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) improved to 2-1 this year after allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits in 5.0-plus innings (86 pitches). He tied his season high with four strikeouts and issued one walk. SIU starter Anthony Bariso (0-1) was saddled with the loss, surrendering nine runs (all earned) on 11 hits in 4.1 innings (76 pitches).

In the nightcap, sophomore Jack Dennis (Toronto, Ontario/Birchmount Park) suffered the loss after pitching his first complete game of the season. He yielded two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks in 7.0 innings (93 pitches). Tigers' starter Charles Atherton (1-1) earned the complete-game victory after allowing one run (unearned) and scattering five hits over 7.0 innings (88 pitches).

The Vulcans took advantage of an error in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. Morales reached on a three-base throwing error by the catcher on a bunt attempt and later scored on a two-out double by Marcus. SIU tied the score at 1-1 with a two-out rally in the fourth that started with a two-base error.

In the fifth, the Tigers took a 2-1 lead behind an RBI single with runners on second and third. Gasti prevented SIU from scoring another run on the play by throwing out center fielder Nate Mastervick at home after Mastervick attempted to score from second. Cal U attempted to even the score in the bottom of the sixth before Morales was thrown out at home attempting to score from second on a single by Marcus.

Cal U managed to move the game-tying run into scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the seventh before the game ended with a ground-out.

Marcus finished with two of the team's five hits, going 2-for-3 with one RBI. He is the first player to open a year with a hit in at least nine-straight games since outfielder Troy Handza started 2010 with a 15-game hitting streak. Marcus has also recorded at least one RBI in six-consecutive games.

Cal U returns to action this weekend with a four-game home series against Lake Erie at CONSOL Energy Park, beginning on Saturday, Mach 15, with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.