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

WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 28) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team forced extra innings in the nightcap on Friday afternoon while dropping a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West doubleheader to Slippery Rock at CONSOL Energy Park, falling 3-1 in Game 1 and 7-6 in eight innings during Game 2.

With the sweep, the Vulcans fall to 13-9 this year with a 2-4 mark in league play. Cal U was swept in a home doubleheader during divisional play for the first time since the 2011 season. Meanwhile, The Rock improves to 14-8 overall and 3-3 in PSAC West action.

In Game 1, Cal U was held to a season-low two hits and scored its only run in the bottom of the first without collecting a hit. Senior center fielder Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a wild pitch after advancing around the bases on a sacrifice bunt and ground-out.

The Rock tied the score at 1-1 in the third after collecting three-straight singles before taking a 2-1 lead in the sixth with another stretch of back-to-back-to-back singles. In the bottom of the inning, sophomore first baseman David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) reached on a leadoff double before pinch runner Chris Mitko (Columbus, Ohio/Northland) was tagged out at home after attempting to score from second on a ground-out. Slippery Rock added an insurance run in the seventh on a bases-loaded infield single with two outs.

Sophomore starter Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler) suffered the loss after allowing two runs (both earned) on eight hits in 5.0 innings (70 pitches). Rock junior Garret Peterson (3-1) earned the win after yielding one run (earned) on one hit and five walks in 5.0 innings (95 pitches), while senior John Kovalik recorded his fourth save of the year with 2.0 scoreless innings of relief.

In Game 2, the Vulcans scored six unanswered runs late in the game to force extra innings. Slippery Rock started the eighth with a leadoff walk by second baseman Jordan Faretta. After a foul bunt with two strikes, Faretta advanced to second on a ground-out down the third-base line. Catcher Kevin Jovanovich then delivered the game-winning, two-out single to center field as Carson just missed making a head-first diving catch. Cal U managed a one-out single in the bottom of the inning, but was unsuccessful in advancing the runner into scoring position.

Slippery Rock held a 6-0 lead after scoring runs in three of the opening four innings. In the fifth, the Vulcans loaded the bases and batted around, scoring four runs on four hits. Following a bases-loaded hit by pitch, Cal U collected back-to-back RBI singles by senior second baseman Chad Crockett (Gilmanton, N.H./Gilford) and Fennell before the last run of the inning scored on a wild pitch.

The Vulcans later tied the game in the bottom of the sixth while tallying only one hit in the inning. With runners on the corners, Marcus lined an RBI single before Crockett later reached on a fielder's choice when Slippery Rock attempted to turn a double play.

Kovalik (2-0) earned the victory after working 2.2 innings of scoreless, two-hit relief. Sophomore Cory Craig (Youngsville, Pa./Youngsville) was saddled with the loss after allowing one run (earned) in 2.0 innings of relief. Freshman Andrew Grace (Moon Twp., Pa./Moon) scattered one hit and one walk over 2.1 innings of scoreless relief while making his first appearance since Feb. 23.

Senior first baseman Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny) finished 2-for-4 with one run scored, Crockett added a pair of RBI while coming off the bench. Carson and junior shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) both finished with two runs scored. Senior right fielder Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) reached base in all five plate appearances, including three times via hit by pitch.

The Vulcans continue their weekend series with The Rock tomorrow, Saturday, March 29, with a doubleheader at Slippery Rock, Pa., beginning at 1 p.m.