WILSON, N.C. (March 10) – Behind a pair of impressive pitching performances, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team extended its winning streak to nine games by claiming a doubleheader sweep against Wheeling Jesuit on Saturday night at Fleming Stadium, winning 7-1 and 9-1.

With the victories, the Vulcans improve to 9-2 this season while recording their longest winning streak since the 2013 campaign. Meanwhile, the Cardinals fall to 1-6 overall under first-year head coach Dan Abbenante.

In Game 1, senior Carter Krick (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) yielded one run (unearned) on just one hit and two walks while making his first start of the season. He also recorded a career-high nine strikeouts over 6.0 innings (90 pitches). Wheeling Jesuit starter Michael Finch (0-1) was saddled for the loss after being roughed up for seven runs (all earned) on eight hits and four walks in 4.0-plus innings (102 pitches).

The Vulcans scored at least at one run in each of the opening five innings to build the 7-1 lead. In the first, Cal U scored on a sacrifice fly before adding another run in the second in an unconventional way. Junior left fielder Eric Fairman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) led off the inning with a single and found a way to score from first on the next play without the ball leaving the infield. Fairman broke for second on a ground-out to the pitcher on the far left side of the mound. On the throw to first, Fairman made the turn to third and forced an errant throw by the first baseman that allowed him to score.

In the third, senior shortstop Austin Logan (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) led off with a single before senior right fielder Chris Wastchak (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) belted a two-run homer to right field. Wastchak now has four homers in 41-at bats this season and broke a tie with former teammate David Marcus (2013-17) for fourth place all-time in school history with 23 homers.

The Vulcans stretched the lead to 5-0 in the top of the fourth on a two-out RBI single by Logan. In the fifth, Cal U opened the inning with three-straight walks before Wheeling Jesuit made a pitching change. Freshmen designated hitter Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) then delivered an RBI single before the Vulcans scored another run in the inning on a sacrifice fly.

Logan went 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored from the leadoff spot, while Wastchak finished with three RBI and two runs scored. The Vulcans were successful on all nine steal attempts from six different players in the victory.

In Game 2, sophomore Anthony Winkler (South Park, Pa./South Park) improved to 2-0 this season after allowing just one run (unearned) while scattering five hits and one walk. He also totaled a career-high eight strikeouts over 5.0-plus innings (90 pitches). Classmate Bradyn Kail (Baltimore, Md./Loyola Blakefield) tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief on Friday night. Cardinal starter Josh Bell (0-3) suffered the loss after surrendering eight runs (five earned) on five hits and five walks in 2.1 innings (86 pitches).

Cal U took advantage of a dropped foul ball in the bottom of the second to take a 2-0 lead. Sophomore designated hitter Kristian Webb (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) led off with an infield single before Fairman looked to foul-out along the first-base line before the Cardinal fielder dropped the ball. Fairman then lined a single to left field before redshirt freshman catcher Bill Hitman (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Junior first baseman Thomas Chisam (Williamsburg, Va./Walsingham Academy) later drew a bases-loaded walk. After the second out of the inning, the Vulcans added to their lead in another unconventional fashion with Fairman again being aggressive on the bases. Following a pitch, the Cardinal catcher lightly tossed the ball back to the pitcher who turned his back on the plate. Fairman decided to break for home while the pitcher was still facing the field. The pitcher responded with a throw home, but the ball landed in front of the plate and Fairman was able to score safely.

The Vulcans batted around in the third inning, scoring six runs on just two hits. Cal U loaded the bases on a single, hit by pitch and walk before a fielding error allowed two runners to score and increase the lead to 4-0. The Vulcans later drew back-to-back, bases-loaded walks by Chisam and Logan before junior second baseman Nico Marchetti (Laurel, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) delivered a two-run single.

Wheeling Jesuit avoided the shutout by scoring one run in the top of the sixth before Cal U answered with one run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning.

Senior third baseman Levi Krause (East Berlin, Pa./Spring Grove) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Logan and Webb both added two hits in the victory. Fairman also scored twice in Game 2.

Note, the doubleheader was postponed nearly three hours due to the length of two previous games at Fleming Stadium. The last out of the twinbill was actually recorded at 12:17 a.m. on Sunday morning.

The Vulcans are scheduled to return to action in North Carolina tomorrow, Sunday, March 11, against Bloomsburg at 5 p.m. However, rain is expected in the area over the next two days.