WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 29) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team claimed a split of a doubleheader against IUP on Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, posting a 5-4 victory in Game 1 before suffering a 6-2 loss in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 20-24 overall with an 11-13 mark in divisional play. Cal U currently sits five-games back in the loss column for the final playoff spot in the PSAC Tournament (two sets of doubleheaders were postponed on Saturday). Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawks stand at 18-22 this season behind a 14-10 record in league action.

In Game 1, Cal U scored the game-tying and go-ahead runs on a three-base throwing error with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Joe Yourgal (Millersville, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) improved to 3-0 this season after tossing 6.0 innings (65 pitches) of two-hit scoreless relief. IUP starter Mike Klingensmith (2-5) suffered the loss after surrendering five runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks in 6.0 innings (88 pitches).

The game was delayed for nearly 75 minutes at the start due to lightning and rain in the stadium. When play started, the Crimson Hawks took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first behind four singles and two errors. Cal U countered by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning after the first four batters reached safely. With runners on the corners, redshirt senior first baseman David Marcus (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin) lined an RBI single through the left side before junior right fielder Chris Wastchak (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) followed with an RBI ground-rule double. Marcus later scored on a ground-out to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Yourgal moved from designated hitter to pitcher at the start of the second inning and allowed only four base runners, none of which advanced into scoring position. In the bottom of the fifth, junior shortstop Levi Krause (East Berlin, Pa./Spring Grove) reached on a double before Wastchak later drew a two-out walk. The Vulcans then claimed the lead when sophomore catcher Kristian Webb (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) reached on a throwing error and the error allowed both Krause and Wastchak to score.

Krause went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Wastchak finished 2-for-2 with one RBI, one run scored and one walk.

In Game 2, the Vulcans trailed 3-2 in the sixth before temporarily having the game-tying run in scoring position with one out. IUP responded by scoring three insurance runs in the seventh to earn the 6-2 victory. Freshman Nick Riggle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) fell to 3-2 this year after allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks in 6.1 innings (78 pitches). IUP reliever Christian McClue (4-3) earned the win after yielding one run (earned) on six hits in 2.1 innings.

IUP took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before the inning ended with a runner being tagged out at third when attempting to advance on a throw to the plate. In the second, sophomore left fielder Thomas Chisam (Williamsburg, Va./Walsingham Academy) made a diving catch in left-center field and was able to double-up a runner who reached on a leadoff single. In the fourth, the Crimson Hawks added to the lead with a two-run double with two outs before the Vulcans scored one run in both the fourth and fifth innings. Wastchak opened the fourth with a walk and later scored on a two-out RBI single by junior second baseman Garrett Brooks (Connellsville, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic). Cal U left the bases loaded in the fourth before Krause scored on a two-out RBI single by Webb in the fifth.

In the sixth, Brooks opened the inning with a single before forced out at second on a bunt. The Vulcans then made a move to a pinch-runner and sophomore designated hitter Eric Fairman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) reached on a single to shallow left field. The pinch-runner rounded second on the play and attempted to retreat to the base before being tagged out. IUP then sealed the victory by scoring three runs in the top of the seventh before the inning ended with a double play on a foul out along the first-base line.

Brooks, Marcus and junior third baseman Andrew Grace (Moon Twp., Pa./Moon) each finished with two hits and combined for six of the team's nine hits. The Vulcans finished the game with 11 runners left on base, including six in scoring position.

Cal U returns to action on Friday, April 5, when it travels to face nationally-ranked Mercyhurst in Erie, Pennsylvania, for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.