EASTLAKE, Ohio (March 27) – The No. 25 Vulcans claimed a split of a non-conference doubleheader against Lake Erie on Wednesday afternoon at Classic Park, falling 9-4 in Game 1 before posting a 5-3 victory in extra innings in Game 2.
 
With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team moves to 17-4 overall with a 7-3 mark versus Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) teams. Meanwhile, the Storm stand at 11-9 this season behind a 3-4 record against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponents. The doubleheader was played at Classic Park, which also serves as the home field of the Lake County Captains - the Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.
 
In Game 2, the Vulcans entered the top of the seventh trailing 3-2 before freshman catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) reached base on an error from the shortstop to start the inning. A sacrifice bunt and passed ball moved Stewart to third before senior pinch hitter Thomas Chisam (Williamsburg, Va./Walsingham Academy) delivered an infield single to tie the game at 3-3.  The contest headed to extra innings and both teams went scoreless in the eighth frame. In the ninth inning, senior center fielder Ben Maudie (Jackson, Mo./Jackson) registered a double with one out before senior second baseman Nico Marchetti (Laurel, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) collected an RBI triple to hold a 4-3 lead. Senior first baseman Eric Fairman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) then recorded a sacrifice fly to center field, as Cal U took a 5-3 advantage. The Storm managed one hit in the bottom of the ninth with two outs before a strikeout closed the game.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Vulcans scored two runs on three hits to take an early 2-0 lead. Freshman designated hitter Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes) started the frame with a single to center field before junior third baseman Corey Fogle (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) laced a double to left-center to place two runners in scoring position. Stewart notched a two-run double down the right-field line to put Cal U ahead. Lake Erie answered in the bottom of the third with a pair of RBI singles to tie the game at 2-2. The Storm added another run in the fourth on an RBI triple to extend the lead to 3-2 before each team went scoreless in the fifth and sixth frame.

Maudie finished 2-for-4 with one run scored, two walks and two stolen bases, while Chisam went 1-for-2 with one RBI. Stewart finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored, plus McCakskey and Fogle each went 1-for-4 with one run scored. 
 
Freshman Patrick Gumto (Allison Park, Pa./Shaler) earned the victory (2-1) after allowing zero runs on two hits with five strikeouts and no walks over 3.0 innings (39 pitches). Fellow freshman Dylan Brosky (East Millsboro, Pa./Brownsville) worked 2.0 scoreless innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts. Sophomore Richie Serignese (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) made his second career start and surrendered three runs (all earned) on seven hits with four strikeouts.
 
In Game 1, Lake Erie tallied the initial run of the contest in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI double to right-center, 1-0. The Vulcans were able to escape further damage in the frame after stranding runners on the corners. Cal U answered in the top of the third after a leadoff single from McCaskey . Freshman Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) followed with a single through the right side before a pair of passed balls allowed McCaskey to score from third, 1-1. Maudie drew a walk to load the bases before Marchetti registered an RBI and reached on a fielder's choice. After a strikeout, Maudie stole third before a balk was issued, as the Vulcans took a 3-1 advantage. The Storm eluded more damage by leaving the bases loaded to close the top of the third.
 
In the bottom of the third, Lake Erie regained the lead after three runs on six hits to hold a 4-3 lead. The Storm continued to add runs in the fourth frame on a pair of RBI singles before a hit by pitch with the bases load increase the advantage to 7-3. Cal U cut the deficit in the fifth after Fairman led off the inning with a triple to right-center before scoring on a passed ball during the next at-bat, 7-4. Lake Erie countered in the bottom half with a leadoff solo homer by junior Caleb Waller, his team-leading third of the season, to take an 8-4 lead. The Storm scored another run on a wild pitch later in the inning to hold a 9-4 advantage.
 
Venezia finished 1-for-1 with one run scored and two walks, while Fairman went 1-for-3 with one run scored. McCaskey finished 1-for-3 with one run scored against the Storm.
 
Freshman Tyler Bedillion (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) was saddled with the loss (1-1) after yielding nine runs (eight earned) on 16 hits with three strikeouts over 4.0 innings (74 pitches). Gumto tossed 2.0 scoreless inning of relief with zero hits and three strikeouts. Lake Erie freshman Cade Wendel earn the win (1-0) after surrendering four runs (two earned) on three hits with eight strikeouts over 5.0 innings (101 pitches).
 
The Vulcans return to action on Friday, March 29, when they host No. 9 Mercyhurst in a doubleheader at Wild Things Park in PSAC West play at 1 p.m.