WILSON, N.C. (March 13) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team totaled a season-high four errors while surrendering six walks and four runs in the sixth inning on Tuesday afternoon in a 10-9 loss versus Kutztown at Fleming Stadium. 

With the loss, the Vulcans fall to 9-4 this season while dropping back-to-back games for the first time since opening day on Feb. 18. Meanwhile, the Golden Bears improve to 4-4 overall behind a 3-1 record on their spring trip to North Carolina. 

The Vulcans held the lead through the fifth inning before the Golden Bears capitalized on six walks and three wild pitches to score four runs on zero hits in the top of the sixth. Cal U took an early 1-0 lead after scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Junior left fielder Eric Fairman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) led off with a single before advancing to third on stolen base and passed ball. After recording two outs in the inning, junior first baseman Thomas Chisam (Williamsburg, Va./Walsingham Academy) delivered an RBI single to give Cal U the lead. The Golden Bears responded in the third inning with four runs on three hits to claim a 4-1 advantage. Kutztown opened the frame with a single and an error before loading the bases on a walk. A bases-clearing triple scored three runs before a ground-out brought in the runner from third.

Cal U countered with five runs on five hits in the bottom of the third to retake the lead at 6-4. Redshirt senior designated hitter Bobby Thompson (Blairsville, Pa./Blairsville) belted a solo homer with one out before a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases. Fairman notched a two-run single before a single from redshirt freshman center fielder Bill Hitman (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) once again loaded the bases. Chisam recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice before junior second baseman Nico Marchetti (Laurel, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) registered an RBI double, but the inning ended as Chisam was thrown out trying to advance to third. 

The Vulcans loaded the bases with three singles in the fourth innings before junior catcher Kristian Webb (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) delivered an RBI single with one out to extend the lead. Fairman collected another RBI after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, but Cal U stranded three runners on base to close out the frame with an 8-4 lead.

The Golden Bears scored a pair of unearned runs in the fifth inning before reclaiming the lead in the sixth inning with four runs on zero hits. The Vulcans surrendered three walks to load the bases before a wild pitch cut the deficit to a one-run lead. Kutztown took the lead after a pair of walks with the bases loaded, until adding an insurance run on a sacrifice fly to right field to take a 10-8 advantage. 

Cal U trimmed the deficit to 10-9 in the bottom of the sixth with a solo homer from senior right fielder Chris Wastchak (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township), his fifth of the season. Wastchak now moves into a tie with Wayne Lock (1981-84) for third place all-time in school history with 24 homers. The comeback by the Vulcans ultimately fell short after three-straight scoreless innings and just one runner left on base. 

Wastchak finished 4-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs scored and Thompson went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs scored. Fairman posted two hits, three RBI and two runs scored, while Webb and Marchetti both collected two hits and one RBI. 

Redshirt junior Matt Carter (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) was saddled with the loss after yielding three runs (all earned) on three walks in just 0.1 inning. Freshman starter Hunter Robinson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) surrendered six runs (three earned) on four hits with four strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work, while sophomore Corey Fogle (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) allowed just two hits and two walks after tossing 3.0 innings.

The Vulcans conclude play in North Carolina tomorrow, Wednesday, March 14, when they face Lock Haven and Bloomsburg, starting at 11 a.m.