WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 5) – Behind a walk-off victory in the bottom of the seventh in Game 2, the Vulcans captured a doubleheader sweep versus West Liberty on Monday afternoon, recording a 6-2 win in Game 1 before claiming a 7-6 victory at Wild Things Park.

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 7-2 this season while playing all nine games at home. The Vulcans, which are off to their best start since the 2013 season, extended their winning streak to seven-straight while facing their first opponent outside the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers fall to 2-5 overall and remain winless against PSAC schools this season (0-5).

In Game 2, the Vulcans trailed 6-2 entering the bottom of the seventh before scoring five unearned runs with two outs to complete the comeback after senior second baseman Austin Logan (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) reached base to leadoff on the inning on a throwing error. Following back-to-back outs, senior right fielder Chris Wastchak (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) belted a two-run homer to right center to cut the deficit to 6-4. Three-consecutive walks loaded the bases before redshirt senior left fielder Bobby Thompson (Blairsville, Pa./Blairsville) delivered a two-run single to tie the score until a throwing error on the play allowed junior second baseman Nico Marchetti to score the game-winning run, 7-6. 

The Vulcans took an early lead 1-0 in Game 2 on a fielder's choice error with two outs in the first that allowed redshirt freshman catcher Bill Hitman (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) to score. West Liberty answered in the top of the second with an RBI double to center field before taking with lead with four runs in the third inning. The Hilltoppers started the inning with a single before back-to-back batters were hit by a pitch to load the bases. A three-run double cleared the bases before a fielder's choice drove in the final run of the third. Both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth frames with a combined four runners left on base. West Liberty extended its lead in the sixth with a solo homer to right field, but the Vulcans responded with an RBI single up the middle from Marchetti to trim the deficit to 6-2. 

Senior pitcher Carter Krick (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) earned the win after tossing 1.0 scoreless inning of relief, while sophomore Bradyn Kail (Baltimore, Md./Loyola Blakefield) allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings of relief. Freshman starter Hunter Robinson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) surrendered five runs (all earned) in 2.0-plus innings of work. Hilltopper sophomore Luke Nees was saddled with the loss after issuing three walks in 0.2 inning of relief.

In Game 1, West Liberty went three-up, three-down in the first frame before Cal U left two on base after a pair of singles with one out in the bottom half of the inning. The Hilltoppers scored the initial run of the contest on a ground-out to the shortstop after a leadoff triple. The Vulcans countered with two runs in the bottom of the frame after registering two extra-base hits. Junior first baseman Eric Fairman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) began the inning with a walk before recording a pair of stolen bases. Freshman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) recorded the RBI on a ground-out to tie the score at 1-1. Thompson then notched a double to left center before Logan drove in the run with an RBI double to right center.

Cal U extended the lead in the third with an RBI double from junior catcher Kristian Webb (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) until the Vulcans added three insurance runs in the fourth inning. Thompson opened the frame with a single before stealing second to get in scoring position. Senior third baseman Levi Krause (East Berlin, Pa./Spring Grove) registered an RBI single through the left side and moved to second on a stolen base. Wastchak singled to right field to drive in the run before stealing second base on the following at-bat. Webb also notched an RBI single to put Cal U up 6-1 heading into the fifth.

After back-to-back scoreless frames by both teams, West Liberty attempted to mount a comeback in the seventh. The Hilltoppers started the inning with a solo homer down the left field line before consecutive singles put runners on with no outs. A fielder's choice forced the lead runner out at third and a foul-out put West Liberty down to its final out. The Vulcans secured the 6-2 victory with a fly-out to the warning track in right field. 

Sophomore starter Nick Riggle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) earned his first win of the season after surrendering one run (earned) on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks in 5.2 innings. Redshirt freshman pitcher Richie Serignese (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) worked 1.1 innings of relief to finish the contest. West Liberty senior starter Justin Retzer was saddled with the loss after allowing six runs (all earned) on nine hits after tossing 3.2 innings. 

In Game 1, Krause, Wastchak and Webb – the Nos. 3-5 hitters – each collected two hits, while Wastchak scored two runs and Webb notched two RBI. Thompson also added two hits and two runs scored in the victory.

The Vulcans return to action on Saturday, March 10, when they travel to Wilson, North Carolina, to play six games over a five-day stretch. Cal U opens its spring trip with a doubleheader versus Wheeling Jesuit at 4 p.m.