• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 1) – The Vulcans snapped a five-game losing streak by scoring a season-high 16 runs in Game 2 on Tuesday afternoon while taking a split of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West doubleheader with Pitt-Johnstown at CONSOL Energy Park, dropping a 2-1 contest in Game 1 before posting a 16-5 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team moves to 14-12 this season with a 3-7 mark in divisional play. The doubleheader marked the first meeting between the two programs since the 2003 season. Meanwhile, Pitt-Johnstown moves to 10-15 overall with a 5-5 record in league action.

In Game 2, the Vulcans tallied 16 runs on a season-high 18 hits while also drawing five walks. Senior right fielder Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) paced the offense by going 4-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored, while five other players collected multi-hit games. Junior designated hitter Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) and freshman catcher Joe Yourgal (Millersville, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) both finished with two hits, including a homer, and four RBI. Senior first baseman Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny), junior shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) and sophomore third baseman Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler) all collected two hits and scored a pair of runs while hitting Nos. 3-5 in the lineup.

UPJ scored a run in the top of the first before Cal U answered with six runs in the bottom of the inning. Taylor belted a three-run homer, the first of his career, before Gasti and Yourgal posted back-to-back RBI singles with two outs. The Mountain Cats trimmed the deficit to 6-4 in the second before the Vulcans countered with a two-run homer by Yourgal, the first of his career, in the bottom of the third.

In the fifth, UPJ opened the inning with a solo homer before Cal U scored eight runs in the bottom of the inning after batting around for the second time in the game. Gasti led off the inning with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Yourgal. The Vulcans later had runners on first and second before Zeroski, Taylor and Peters collected back-to-back-to-back RBI singles. Following a pitching change, Fennell lined a double before scoring on a two-run single by freshman second baseman Danny McGrath (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional). Cal U added its last run of the inning on a two-out RBI single by junior center fielder Chris Mitko (Columbus, Ohio/Northland).

Junior starter Luke Burton (Ambridge, Pa./Ambridge) earned the win after allowing five runs (all earned) on nine hits and one walk in 5.0 innings (75 pitches). Redshirt sophomore Andre Jones (New Castle, Pa./Union) and freshman Lucas Cox (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) both tossed 1.0 inning of scoreless relief and retired the Mountain Cats in order in the sixth and seventh, respectively. UPJ starter Brantly Rice (1-1) suffered the loss after being roughed up for six runs (all earned) on seven hits while working just 0.2 inning (29 pitches).

In Game 1, sophomore Cory Craig (Youngsville, Pa./Youngsville) was saddled with the loss despite yielding two runs (both earned) in 7.0 innings (103 pitches). He scattered five hits and issued one walk in his second complete game of the season. UPJ starter Ryan Bills (1-1) earned the win after allowing one run (earned) on three hits and two walks in 6.0 innings (84 pitches), while Ryan Socol recorded the save with 1.0 inning of scoreless relief.

The Mountains Cats threatened in the top of the third with runners in scoring position and one out. Craig induced a unassisted ground-out to Zeroski at first and Zeroski caught the runner at third in a rundown. In the fourth, Zeroski reached on a one-out single and advanced to third on a stolen base and throwing error. Peters then delivered a two-out RBI single through the middle, 1-0.

UPJ answered by scoring a pair of runs in the top of the fifth on a two-out single through the left side. The Vulcans had runners on the corners in the bottom of the inning and managed a leadoff walk in the sixth before being retired in order in the seventh.

Zeroski finished with two of the team's three hits, finishing 2-for-2 with one run scored and one walk.

Cal U continues PSAC West play this weekend with a four-game series against IUP, beginning with a doubleheader at CONSOL Energy Park on Friday, April 4, starting at 1 p.m.