WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 1) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team suffered a 9-8 loss to Wheeling after allowing the go-ahead run to score on a bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth inning on Monday afternoon at Wild Things Park in non-conference action.
With the loss, the Vulcans move to 2-1 to open the season and now holds a 13-2 mark against the Cardinals since the 2008 campaign. Meanwhile, Wheeling stands at 1-2 overall after being held to a pair of total runs over the weekend.
Wheeling tied the score at 8-8 in the top of the seventh when the runner from second scored on a wild pitch. The Vulcans were unable to break the tie in the eighth after a pair of base runners reached with two outs.
In the ninth, the Cardinals loaded the bases on a single and back-to-back walk before another walk plated the eventual game-winning run. Following a pitching change, Cal U recorded a force out at home before a strikeout ended the inning. The Vulcans were retired in order in the bottom of the inning.
Senior
Richie Serignese (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) was saddled with the loss after one run (earned) on two hits and three walks in 1.1 innings of relief. Junior starter
Zach Rohaley (Washington, Pa./Canon-McMillan) took a no-decision after surrendering three runs (all earned) on four hits and three walks while tallying eight strikeouts in 4.0 innings (80 pitches).
Wheeling reliever Nick Luciano earned the victory after registering five strikeouts in 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, while Albert Baez recorded the save on Monday. The teams combined to use 12 pitchers in the contest.
The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two-out RBI single before the Vulcans tied the score in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer by senior center fielder
Aaron Previsky (California, Pa./California). Wheeling reclaimed the lead in the third on a sacrifice fly before Cal U seized a 4-3 lead on a RBI ground-out and a solo homer by junior right fielder
Patrick Brogan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart).
In the fifth, Wheeling scored four runs on three walks and three singles before freshman
Jackson Miller (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin) entered the game and induced a comebacker to force the Cardinals to leave a pair of runners in scoring position. Miller yielded one run (earned) while tossing 2.1 innings of relief on Monday.
The Vulcans countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 7-7. Sophomore
Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) started the inning with a double and Cal U later loaded the bases on a pair of walks. Rockacy then scored on a wild pitch, which also allowed Brogan to score from second. Following a fielding error, junior
Nick Serafino (McDonald, Pa./Canon-McMillan) delivered a RBI double before the Cardinals made a pitching change.
Cal U claimed an 8-7 lead in the sixth on a RBI ground-out after the inning started with a throwing error and walk.
Rockacy went 2-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI from the leadoff spot. Brogan posted a pair of RBI and two runs scored, while junior second baseman
Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) also scored two runs.
Jax Miller drew a pair of walks and scored one run while making his first career start.
The Vulcans return to action with a three-game series against Walsh (Ohio) at Wild Things Park, starting on Friday, March 5, at 1 p.m.
