WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 26) – Junior right fielder Patrick Brogan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) delivered a two-run, walk-off double in the seventh inning of Game 2 on Saturday afternoon, as the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team opened Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play by claiming a doubleheader split against Slippery Rock at Wild Things Park, dropping a 7-4 contest in Game 1 before posting a 5-4 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 10-4 overall and begin league action with a 1-1 mark. Cal U earned its first walk-off victory in PSAC West play since March 30, 2018. Meanwhile, The Rock stands at 9-4 this season with a 1-1 record in divisional play.

In Game 2, Slippery Rock held a 1-0 lead until sophomore left fielder David Lee (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) belted a three-run homer to left field in the bottom of the sixth. The Rock responded with three runs on five hits in the seventh to reclaim the lead at 4-3.

Junior second baseman Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) led off the bottom of the seventh with a single and advanced to third on an error that allowed sophomore pinch hitter Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) to reach base on a sacrifice bunt. Brogan then delivered the walk-off double to right center on a 0-2 count to give the Vulcans a 5-4 victory.

Freshman Jackson Miller (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin) earned his first career victory after working 0.2 inning of relief. Junior starter Dylan Broksy (East Millsboro, Pa./Brownsville) took a no-decision after yielding four runs (all earned) on six hits in 6.1 innings (89 pitches). He limited The Rock to just a pair of hits through six innings on Friday.

In Game 1, Cal U maintained a 4-3 lead before Slippery Rock scored four runs in the top of the seventh. Senior third baseman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) and senior first baseman Josh Rankin (Moon Twp., Pa./Moon) both collected two hits and one RBI in the contest.

The Vulcans took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by junior shortstop Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes) and an RBI triple by Conte – both with two outs. Slippery Rock tied the score in the third before freshman designated hitter Jax Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth) belted a solo homer in the bottom of the inning, 3-2.

The Rock again tied the score in the top of the fourth before the Vulcans left the bases loaded in the bottom half. Cal U broke the tie in the sixth when Rankin recorded an RBI triple after Lee reached on a double down the left-field line.

Senior Nick Riggle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) was saddled with the loss after surrendering five runs (all earned) on 12 hits with zero walks in 6.0-plus innings (92 pitches). Rock starter Luke Trueman earned the win after yielding four runs (all earned) on seven hits while posting eight strikeouts over 6.0 innings.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Saturday, March 27, with a doubleheader at Slippery Rock, beginning at 1 p.m.