WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 30) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team claimed a doubleheader sweep over Pitt-Johnstown on Friday afternoon at Wild Things Park, winning in contrasting styles with a 7-6 extra-inning walk-off victory in Game 1 before collecting an 8-1 win in Game 2 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action. 

With the sweep, the Vulcans snap an eight-game losing streak and improve 11-10 on the season with a 2-4 record in league play. Meanwhile, the Mountain Cats fall to 6-13 overall behind a 3-3 record in conference action. 

In Game 1, Cal U trailed 6-5 in extra innings after UPJ claimed the lead in the top of the eighth on a solo homer from freshman Tyler Smith. The Vulcans opened the bottom half of the inning with a walk by senior center fielder Danny McGrath (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional). After a pop-out, McGrath moved to third on a stolen base and a throwing error by the catcher. Senior third baseman Levi Krause (East Berlin, Pa./Spring Grove) notched an RBI double down the left-field line to tie the score at 6-6. Krause advanced to third on a ground-out to the shortstop before junior catcher Kristian Webb (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) registered a walk-off single on a hard hit ball that ricocheted off the first baseman's glove to secure the 7-6 victory.

The Mountain Cats recorded the initial run of the contest in the top of the first after recording back-to-back doubles. Cal U answered in the bottom of the inning after a dropped fly ball allowed Krause to score from second to tie the game, 1-1. After a scoreless second, UPJ went up 2-1 on an RBI double to score a runner from first base. The Vulcans responded once again to tie the contest at 2-2 on an RBI double from junior first baseman Eric Fairman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson), who was thrown out attempting to advance to third to end the inning. The Mountain Cats claimed their third lead of the game in the top of the sixth on a solo homer from senior Mason Prickett before Cal U tallied three runs in the bottom of the inning. Senior second baseman Garrett Brooks (Connellsville, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) opened the sixth with a single up the middle before advancing the second on a balk. Junior designated hitter Ben Maudie (Jackson, Mo./Jackson) then recorded a bunt single before reaching third base on a throwing error by the pitcher, which allowed Brooks to score. Back-to-back doubles from senior shortstop Austin Logan (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) and Krause gave the Vulcans a 5-3 lead. UPJ countered with two runs to tie the game at 5-5 in the seventh to send the game to extra innings after Cal U used four different pitchers in the inning. 

Redshirt freshman Richie Serignese (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) improved to 3-0 after working 1.1 innings of relief with two strikeouts. Senior starter Carter Krick (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) posted a no-decision after tossing 6.1 innings (106 pitches) with five strikeouts on Friday. Mountain Cat senior Shane Supanick (1-1) was saddled with the loss after surrendering two runs (both earned) in 2.1 innings of relief. 

Krause went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Webb and Brooks also posted multiple-hit contests. Cal U was successful on all six steal attempts from four different players in the victory. 

In Game 2, sophomore starter Nick Riggle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) earned the complete-game victory (2-2) after allowing one run (earned) on five hits with five strikeouts over 7.0 innings (82 pitches). He has posted back-to-back complete games after notching one as a true freshman last season. Pitt-Johnstown starter Ben Foose (1-2) suffered the loss after being roughed up for seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks in 3.1 innings (66 pitches).

Cal U scored three runs in the bottom of the second after Fairman registered a solo homer, his third of the year, to start in the inning. Freshman designated hitter Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) reached base on a throwing error before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Conte later scored on a passed ball and a throwing error by the catcher to extend the lead, 2-0. Logan notched a two-out single and moved to second on a stolen base before Krause recorded an RBI single to give Cal U a 3-0 advantage. After a scoreless third, the Vulcans tallied five runs in the fourth inning after loading the bases on a walk and a pair of singles. Krause collected an RBI on a deep ground-out to third before redshirt senior left fielder Bobby Thompson (Blairsville, Pa./Blairsville) registered an RBI single to left field to extend the lead. After a pitching change, senior right fielder Chris Wastchak (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) drew a walk to load the bases before Webb recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice, 6-0. Fairman followed with another fielder's choice to drive in a run before a throwing error allowed Wastchak to score from third. UPJ avoided the shutout in the top of the fifth with an RBI single following a one-out triple to right field, 8-1.

Logan finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Thompson went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Krause and Fairman both registered two RBI and one walk in the win.

Cal U returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, March 31, when it continues its series at Pitt-Johnstown with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.