WILSON, N.C. (March 8) – Behind a five-run top of the fourth, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team opened its spring trip with a 10-0 shutout victory over West Virginia State at Fleming Stadium.
 
With the win, the Vulcans improve to 6-1 this season while scoring double-digit runs for the first time this year. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets fall to 1-9 overall behind a 1-2 mark against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponents.
 
Both teams combined for just three hits in the opening three innings before Cal U broke it open in the top of the fourth with five runs on three hits. Senior first baseman Eric Fairman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) laced a leadoff single up the middle before advancing the second on a ground-out. After a pair of walks, freshman shortstop Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum,Pa./Deer Lakes) drove in a pair of runs on a bases-loaded single through the right side. Freshman right fielder Patrick Brogan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) then belted a three-run homer to left-center, his first collegiate home run, to give Cal U a 5-0 advantage.
 
The Vulcans added to the lead in the top of the fifth with senior left fielder Thomas Chisam (Willamsburg, Va./Walsingham Academy) leading off the inning with a single before moving to third on another single from Fairman. Senior catcher Kristian Webb (Whitby, Ontario/ Sinclair) would drive in a run on a ground-out to give Cal U a 6-0 lead. Fairman scored after stealing third and a wild pitch to add another run for the Vulcans, 7-0. Cal U escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth inning to keep the shutout before tallying two more runs in the top of the seventh. Chisam drew a walk and Fairman posted a single through the left side to open the inning before advancing into scoring position on a wild pitch. Webb drew a walk before sophomore third baseman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) delivered a two-run single through the left side followed by an RBI single from senior second baseman Nico Marchetti (Laurel, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) to extend the Cal U lead to 10-0.
 
Fairman finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored and one stolen base, while Marchetti went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one walk. McCaskey finished 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored.
 
Senior starter Tyler Eritz (Oakdale, Pa./West Allegheny) improved to 2-0 this season after tossing 6.0 scoreless innings (91 pitches) with five strikeouts against the Yellow Jackets. He retired the side in order three times and issued only one walk. Senior Damian Clarke (Carlisle, Ontario/Waterdown) made his season debut for the Vulcans and worked 1.0 scoreless inning of relief.
 
The Vulcans return to action in North Carolina tomorrow, Saturday, March 9, against Ohio Dominican at 12:30 p.m.