COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. (Feb. 29) – The Vulcans surrendered 18 runs on 21 hits and committed six errors on Monday morning while suffering an 18-5 loss to Slippery Rock in non-conference play at the Dinwiddie Challenge.

With the loss, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team falls to 3-5 this season. The Vulcans allowed over 50 runs and 10 homers in Virginia, while being held to only a .235 batting average (32-for-136) over the four games. Meanwhile, Slippery Rock improves to 2-6 overall.

The Rock jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first before the Vulcans answered with one run in the bottom half of the inning. Slippery Rock added three runs in both the second and third to stretch the lead to 8-1 behind two-run homers by designated hitter Tyler Walters and third baseman Preston Falascino.

In the fourth, Slippery Rock again scored three runs before tallying seven runs in the sixth. Walters belted his second homer of the game and fourth of the season in the sixth, as The Rock sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning. Cal U managed to score three runs in the bottom of the eighth behind an RBI double by freshman catcher Kristian Webb (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) and RBI single by junior right fielder Bobby Thompson (Blairsville, Pa./Blairsville).

The Vulcans utilized seven different pitchers in the loss with none working more than 2.0 innings. Sophomore starter Matt Carter (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in 2.0 innings. Rock starter Matt Gordon earned the win after yielding two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk in 6.0 innings of work.

Senior left fielder Jared Grove (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim), junior second baseman Danny McGrath (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Webb each collected two hits and scored once in the loss.

Cal U returns to action this weekend when it plays a doubleheader against Lock Haven on Saturday, March 5, in Thomasville, North Carolina. The Vulcans are scheduled to play six games in the Tarheel State over a six-game span from March 5-9.