WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 24) – The Vulcans were swept in the season series with No. 15 Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon at Wild Things Park after dropping both games of a doubleheader in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, suffering a 12-3 loss in Game 1 and a 6-5 loss in Game 2.

With the losses, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team fall to 9-10 overall behind a 0-4 record in league play after the opening weekend of divisional play. Meanwhile, the Lakers improve to 12-3 on the season with a 4-0 record in conference play. 

In Game 2, the Vulcans nearly rallied from a 6-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning. Senior right fielder Chris Wastchak (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) drew a walk with one-out before advancing to third on a ground-rule double from junior designated hitter Kristian Webb (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair). Redshirt freshman catcher Bill Hitman (Norristown, Pa/Pope John Paul II) notched an RBI single before sophomore first baseman Corey Fogle (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Junior center fielder Ben Maudie (Jackson, Mo./Jackson) then drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the inning before a wild pitch scored Hitman from third to cut the deficit to 6-5 with one out. After a pitching change, the Lakers recorded a strikeout before a ground-out stranded two runners in scoring position to end the game. 

Mercyhurst jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly before Cal U responded in the bottom half with a solo homer from senior third baseman Levi Krause (East Berlin, Pa./Spring Grove). The Lakers answered with three runs (two unearned) in the third after the leadoff batter reached on a fielding error. Mercyhurst freshman Jack Elliott then belted a two-run homer before an RBI single stretched the lead to 4-1. The Vulcans left the bases loaded in the third inning after failing to capitalize on a fielding error and a pair of walks. Cal U trimmed the deficit in the fourth after Hitman reached base on a wild pitch strikeout to lead off the inning. A ground-out advanced Hitman to second before junior second baseman Nico Marchetti (Laurel, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) delivered an RBI single up the middle, 4-2. The Vulcans left two runners on base in the fifth before Mercyhurst scored one run in both the sixth and seventh to extend the lead to 6-2. 

Freshman starter Hunter Robinson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) suffered the loss (1-2) after allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits with three strikeouts in 4.2 innings (92 pitches). Mercyhurst freshman Ryan Smerkar earned the win (3-0) after surrendering one run (earned) on one hit with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings of relief, while classmate Nicholas McRandal registered his first collegiate save after recording the final two outs of the contest to secure the victory. The Lakers used six different pitchers in Game 2 with none working more than 2.1 innings. 

In Game 1, the Lakers raced out to an early advantage after scoring three runs with two outs in the top of the first. Following back-to-back strikeouts, Mercyhurst rattled off a double and triple to take the lead before junior Matthew Schneider belted a two-run homer to make it a 3-0 lead. The Lakers tallied another run in the second before the Vulcans countered with three runs in the bottom of the third. A fielding error and a hit by pitch put two runners on to start the inning. A failed sacrifce bunt forced the runner out at third before senior shortstop Austin Logan (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) notched a two-run double to left field and advanced to third on a fielding error. He scored from third later in the inning on a wild pitch, as Cal U cut the deficit to 4-3. Mercyhurst stretched its lead in the fifth with four runs on three hits and added four insurances runs in the seventh. In the last four innings, the Vulcans were held to two hits and left the bases loaded at the end of the game.

Sophomore starter Anthony Winkler (South Park, Pa./South Park) was saddled with the loss (2-1) after yielding four runs (all earned) on five hits with two strikeouts in 1.0-plus inning. Mercyhurst junior Tyler Garbee earned the complete-game victory (1-0) after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with six strikeouts over 7.0 innings (98 pitches).

 The Vulcans return to action on Tuesday, March 27, when they travel to face Davis & Elkins in non-conference play at 2 p.m.