WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 14) – Junior Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes) tossed 5.0 scoreless innings in his first career start on the mound and also scored four runs on Sunday afternoon, as the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team swept a doubleheader against Salem at Wild Things Park, winning 13-10 in Game 1 before posting a 5-1 victory in Game 2.

With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 6-3 this season after scoring in double-digits three times. Meanwhile, the Tigers fall to 2-10 overall after losing six-consecutive games.

McCaskey allowed just a pair of baserunners and tallied nine strikeouts over 5.0 innings (66 pitches) in Game 2. He previously totaled 5.2 innings as a pitcher in five career relief appearances. McCaskey also went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and three runs scored in Game 1 against the Tigers on Sunday.

In Game 1, senior third baseman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore designated hitter David Lee (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Junior catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) collected three hits with one RBI and one run scored, while sophomore left fielder Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) posted a pair of hits, including a solo homer, and scored two runs.

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second before scoring four runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. Lee delivered a two-run single in the fourth before Cal U later scored twice on a two-out throwing error. Rockacy led off the fifth with a solo homer and Conte later followed with an RBI single. McCaskey then scored on a bases-loaded walk before the final run of the inning scored on a sacrifice fly.

Salem responded with three runs in the top of the sixth before Conte added another RBI single in the bottom of the inning, 10-3. In the seventh, junior shortstop Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) lined an RBI triple to right center before scoring on a throwing error.

The Tigers scored four runs in the eighth before catcher Alan Larocque belted a three-run homer in the ninth. Following a pitching change, Cal U sealed the victory on a called third strike.

Junior Dylan Brosky (East Millsboro, Pa./Brownsville) improved to 3-0 this season after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits over 6.0 innings (89 pitches). Classmate Patrick Gumto (Allison Park, Pa./Shaler) recorded his first save of the season after working 0.2 inning of scoreless relief. Salem starter Anthony Alvarez (0-2) suffered the loss after surrendering five runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks in 4.0 innings (72 pitches).

In Game 2, McCaskey earned the win after allowing one hit and one walk in 5.0 innings. Freshman Jackson Miller (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin) and Gumto each recorded a pair of strikeouts in 1.0 inning of relief. Tiger starter Dominic Curole (1-2) was saddled with the loss after yielding five runs (three earned) on five hits in 4.0 innings (62 pitches).

Cal U took the lead in the bottom of the second on a two-run triple to right center by senior first baseman Josh Rankin (Moon Twp., Pa./Moon). In the third, the Vulcans extended the lead to 4-0 on a two-run homer by junior right fielder Patrick Brogan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart), his second of the year.

The Vulcans added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth before the Tigers avoided the shutout with a two-out RBI single in the seventh.

Lee went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and Rankin finished 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Cal U returns to action on Friday, March 19, when it hosts IUP in non-conference play at Wild Things Park.