SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (March 27) – The Vulcans dropped both games of a doubleheader at Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, suffering an 8-1 loss in Game 1 before dropping a 9-3 contest in Game 2.

With the losses, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team falls to 10-6 this season with a 1-3 record in league play. Meanwhile, The Rock improves to 12-3 overall and open divisional action with a 3-1 mark.

In Game 1, the Vulcans were limited to four hits with only one extra-base hit. Junior shortstop Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) collected a pair of singles to record his fourth multi-hit game of the season.

Slippery Rock took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a two-run homer by right fielder Luke Trueman. The Rock then scored one run in the third and fourth innings to stretch the lead to 4-0. In the top of the sixth, junior catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) reached on a double down the left-field line before Venezia followed with a single. Stewart scored the team's lone run on a wild pitch following a pitching change by Slippery Rock.

In the bottom of the inning, The Rock sealed the victory by adding four runs on four hits and two walks.

Junior Zach Rohaley (Washington, Pa./Canon-McMillan) suffered the loss after allowing four runs (all earned) on five hits and four walks in 5.0 innings (105 pitches). Rock starter Ricky Mineo earned the victory after scattering three hits and one run over 5.1 innings (85 pitches).

In Game 2, Slippery Rock jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first before Cal U answered with a two-run homer by senior third baseman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) in the second. The Rock took advantage of two-out error in the bottom of the inning to stretch the lead to 8-2 following a two-run homer by designated hitter Eddie Morris.

The Vulcans left the bases loaded in the third before The Rock added an insurance run on a two-out RBI single in the fourth. Stewart scored on a wild pitch in the fifth to trim the deficit to 9-3.

Junior Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes) was saddled with the loss after surrendering nine runs (six earned) on 10 hits in 4.0 innings (85 pitches).

Cal U returns to action next weekend with a series against IUP, beginning with a home doubleheader on Friday, April 2, at 1 p.m.