NUTTER FORT, W.Va. (April 14) – The Vulcans scored a combined 29 runs, collected 34 hits and tallied 14 stolen bases in a non-conference doubleheader sweep at Salem International on Tuesday afternoon.

With the wins, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 17-17 overall and moves to .500 for the third time this season. Meanwhile, SIU falls to 4-30 this season while making its home debut on Tuesday.

In Game 1, junior center fielder Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler) went 4-for-5 with two triples, four RBI, four runs scored and three stolen bases while batting leadoff. Freshman third baseman Garrett Brooks (Connellsville, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) finished 4-for-4 with two runs scored, while senior shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) finished 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Freshman designated hitter Chris Wastchak (Peters Twp., Pa./Peters Township) collected a pair of hits and RBI and sophomore right fielder Shane Heim (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) tallied two hits and two runs scored.

The Vulcans took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run homer by junior first baseman David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) before adding four runs in the second. Heim capped three-straight base runners to open the inning with an RBI single before Fennell delivered a two-run single. SIU countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the deficit to 6-3.

Cal U posted three runs in both the fourth and fifth to stretch the lead to 12-3. Fennell led off the fourth with a triple and sophomore second baseman Danny McGrath (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) followed with an RBI single. Wastchak later collected a two-run double to left center with two outs. In the fifth, Fennell posted a two-run triple before scoring on a ground-out by McGrath. The Tigers batted around in the sixth to cut the deficit to 12-7 before Fennell scored on a sacrifice fly by Peters in the seventh.

The Vulcans used five different pitchers in the victory with junior Cam Maxey (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) earning the victory after allowing four runs (all earned) on four hits in 2.1 innings. SIU starter Kevin Ortiz-Arroyo (0-9) suffered the loss after being roughed up for 12 runs (all earned) and 14 hits in 5.0 innings (89 pitches).

In Game 2, Marcus went 4-for-4 with two runs and one RBI while hitting cleanup. Senior designated hitter Kris Fielding (Port Perry, Ontario/Port Perry) finished 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored and Fennell went 3-for-6 with a two-run homer and two runs scored.

Cal U took a 1-0 lead in the first before scoring five runs and batting around in the second. Fielding opened the scoring with a two-run single before Fennell followed with a two-run homer to right field. The Vulcans scored the final run of the inning when McGrath and Marcus executed a double-steal of second and home.

The Vulcans batted around in the top of the fourth after scoring six runs on seven hits and two walks to stretch the lead to 12-0. Fennell scored from second on an RBI single by Peters before Wastchak delivered a two-run double to left center. Junior Jared Grove (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) and Fielding both later posted RBI singles before McGrath drew a bases-loaded walk.

After SIU scored one run in the fourth, Cal U scored four runs in the fifth behind RBI doubles by Brooks and Fielding, along with an RBI single by McGrath. The Tigers again added one run in the bottom of the fifth before scoring five runs in the seventh.

Sophomore Alex Ziegler (Butler, Pa./Butler) improved to 3-0 this season while making his first start of the year, yielding one run (earned) on four hits in 4.0 innings. SIU starter James Adydan (0-1) was saddled with the loss after allowing six runs (all earned) on four hits and five walks in 3.0 innings.

The Vulcans return to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play this weekend, beginning with a doubleheader at Pitt-Johnstown on Friday, April 17, at 1 p.m.