• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

GREENSBURG, Pa. (April 26) – The Vulcans were eliminated from post-season contention on Saturday afternoon after being swept in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West doubleheader at Seton Hill, losing 5-1 and 6-5, plus Pitt-Johnstown winning a pair of games.

After being swept, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team falls to 25-20 overall with a 12-14 mark in league play. With two games left in the regular season, the Vulcans are two games back of Slippery Rock for fourth place, but The Rock holds the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping the four-game season series. Meanwhile, Seton Hill improves to 34-14 overall in its first season as members of the PSAC behind a 20-6 divisional record.

In Game 2, the Vulcans took their first lead of the day by scoring four runs in the top of the fifth and reclaimed the lead with a run in the seventh before allowing a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Junior shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored and four other players collected multi-hit games in the loss. Senior first baseman Derrik Zeroski (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny) finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored, while senior left fielder John Orr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) added two hits and an RBI. Sophomore third baseman Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler) and freshman catcher Joe Yourgal (Millersville, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) each tallied a pair of hits and scored a run in the nightcap.

Cal U left the bases loaded in the top of the third before Seton Hill took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer by shortstop Brandon Costantino. The Vulcans answered by batting around in the fifth and scoring four runs on five hits, 4-2. Yourgal led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a double by Fennell before Zeroski later delivered a two-run single through the middle. Following a strikeout and stolen base, Peters lined a two-out RBI double before scoring on an RBI single by senior right fielder Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels).

In the bottom of the inning, Seton Hill opened with a walk and single before Fennell moved to the mound. The Griffins then executed a sacrifice bunt before Fennell prevented either runner from scoring by recording a strikeout and ground-out to end the inning. However, Seton Hill tied the score at 4-4 in the sixth after the starting the inning with back-to-back doubles.

The Vulcans reclaimed the lead at 5-4 in the seventh when junior pinch runner Chris Mitko (Columbus, Ohio/Northland) scored on a two-out RBI single by Orr. Mitko replaced sophomore designated hitter David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) at second after Marcus lined a double to right field. In the bottom of the inning, Fennell retired the first two batters before issuing a walk and a game-tying double. Following an intentional walk, reigning All-American third baseman Nick Sell delivered a walk-off RBI single to left field, as the game-winning run scored from second.

Fennell (4-3) suffered the loss after allowing four runs (all earned) on five hits and two walks in 2.2 innings of relief. Sophomore starter Jack Dennis (Toronto, Ontario/Birchmount Park) took a no-decision after yielding two runs (both earned) on four hits and three walks in 4.0-plus innings (67 pitches). Seton Hill sophomore Jesse Cooper (1-1) earned the win after tossing 0.2 inning of scoreless relief.

In Game 1, Cal U was limited to only five hits and was held without a runner in scoring position until the sixth inning. Fennell finished the game 2-for-3 from the leadoff spot.

The Griffins took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second after opened the inning with back-to-back homers by designated hitter Chris Miller and Sell. Seton Hill added to its lead with a run in both the third and fourth innings, including a solo homer by right fielder Cody Herald. The Vulcans avoided the shutout by scoring their lone run on a ground-out with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh.

Junior Justin Taylor (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on four hits in 2.0 innings. Sophomore Mike Bittel (7-2) earned the victory after yielding one run (earned) on four hits and two walks over 6.0-plus innings, while senior Alex Haines, who was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 2013 MLB Draft, recorded the save with 1.0 inning of scoreless relief.

The Vulcans close out the season tomorrow, Sunday, April 27, with a doubleheader at CONSOL Energy Park against Seton Hill, starting at 1 p.m.