WASHINGTON, Pa. (Feb. 22) – The Vulcans opened the season with a home doubleheader sweep against Wheeling in non-conference play on Saturday afternoon at Wild Things Park, winning 4-3 and 2-0.

With the victories, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team starts the year with a 2-0 overall mark. Meanwhile, the Cardinals fall to 2-2 this campaign after being picked sixth in the preseason Mountain East Conference (MEC) North Division poll.

In Game 1, senior Nick Riggle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) earned the victory after allowing two runs (both earned) while scattering two hits and three walks over 6.0 innings (98 pitches). He also recorded five strikeouts in the season-opener and induced nine ground-outs. Senior Corey Fogle (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) earned the save after surrendering one run (unearned) with two strikeouts in 1.0 inning pitched. Wheeling starter Josh Bell (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk in 5.0 innings (97 pitches).

The Vulcans took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second when junior first baseman Bill Hitman (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) delivered a two-run double with two outs. Cal U added to the lead in the third on an RBI double by Fogle that scored junior third baseman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California), who reached on a fielding error to start the inning.

Riggle retired the initial nine batters of the game before Wheeling opened the top of the fourth with a triple and the runner then scored on a sacrifice fly, 3-1. The Vulcans responded in the bottom of the inning when sophomore catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) scored on a sacrifice fly after reaching on a double. In the sixth, the Cardinals collected a two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-2 before Riggle recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

Fogle, who was making his first pitching appearance since 2018, recorded back-to-back strikeouts in the top of the seventh. The Cardinals then benefited from a throwing error before the leadoff hitter lined an RBI double. After a walk placed the go-ahead run on base, Fogle induced a fly-out to end the contest.

Hitman went 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Conte scored twice and stole two bases.

In Game 2, sophomore transfer Zach Rohaley (Washington, Pa./Canon-McMillan) claimed the win after scattering four hits and tallying eight strikeouts over 6.0 scoreless innings (80 pitches). Fellow sophomore Patrick Gumto (Allison Park, Pa./Shaler) retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to record the save. Cardinal starter Tanner Evans (1-1) was saddled with the loss after surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks in 4.1 innings (58 pitches).

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Fogle delivered an RBI single to score sophomore shortstop Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes), who reached on passed ball. Wheeling threatened with a double in both the third and fourth innings before Cal U added to the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Hitman led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on an RBI single by sophomore left fielder Nick Serafino (McDonald, Pa./Canon-McMillan). In the sixth, the Cardinals laced another double and the runner advanced to third on a fly-out before a strikeout ended the inning.

Conte collected a pair of singles in Game 2 and reached base a combined four times in the doubleheader.

Cal U continues its weekend homestand tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 23, by hosting a nine-inning game against Wheeling at 1 p.m.