WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 7) – The Vulcans claimed a doubleheader split against Walsh in non-conference play on Sunday afternoon at Wild Things Park, suffering a 7-4 extra-inning loss in Game 1 before capturing a 6-1 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team moves to 3-2 overall behind a plus-18 run differential. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers open the campaign with a 1-1 mark after being picked second in the preseason Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) poll.

Junior Dylan Brosky (East Millsboro, Pa./Brownsville) earned the victory in Game 2 to improve to 2-0 this year. He yielded one run (earned) while scattering three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 6.0 innings (69 pitches) on Sunday. Brosky holds a 1.64 ERA this season after allowing two runs over 11.0 innings pitched.

The Vulcans took the lead in the bottom of the first on a RBI triple by junior right fielder Patrick Brogan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) before he scored on a ground-out, 2-0. Cal U then scored four runs in the second to stretch the lead to 6-0 before Walsh made a pitching change. Junior catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) and junior designated hitter Nick Serafino (McDonald, Pa./Canon-McMillan) both delivered RBI doubles to left center before senior third baseman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) belted a two-run homer.

In the third, Brosky forced the Cavaliers to leave two runners on base after he opened the inning with back-to-back strikeouts. He later induced double plays to end both the fourth and fifth innings on Sunday. Walsh avoided the shutout with a solo homer by left fielder Joey Holiga in the top of the sixth inning, 6-1.

Conte posted his eighth career homer and scored twice in the victory.

Walsh starter Nick Lallathin (0-1) was saddled with loss after allowing six runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks in 1.1 innings (44 pitches).

In Game 1, the Vulcans held a 4-0 lead before the Cavaliers later tied the contest at 4-4 in the seventh. Both teams stranded a runner at second in the eighth before the teams eventually were forced to extra innings.

The Cavaliers had runners on the corners and one out in the 10th before first baseman Andrew Czech, the 2019 G-MAC Player of the Year, belted a three-run homer to center field on the first pitch of the at-bat. Walsh later looked to extend the lead with runners on the corners before a fly-out ended the threat.

Sophomore Devin Foster (Davidsville, Pa./Conemaugh Township) suffered the loss after surrendering three runs (all earned) on three hits and two walks in 1.0 inning of relief. Senior starter Nick Riggle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) allowed three runs (all earned) on five hits in 5.2 innings (102 pitches), while classmate Richie Serignese (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) yielded one run (earned) while tossing 3.1 innings of relief.

Cal U took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run triple by junior shortstop Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes) with two outs. In the fourth, McCaskey recorded another RBI on a sacrifice fly before senior first baseman Josh Rankin (Moon Twp., Pa./Moon) collected a RBI triple to right center, 4-0.

The Cavaliers cut the deficit to 4-3 in the top of the sixth behind a pair of solo homers and a bases-loaded walk by Czech. Walsh mounted a two-out rally in the seventh and tied the score on a RBI single.

Walsh senior Hyatt Shenefield earned the win after scattering three hits over 4.0 scoreless innings of relief (51 pitchers). Starter Drew Saunier took a no-decision after surrendering four runs (all earned) on five hits with 10 strikeouts in 6.0 innings (79 pitches).

Sophomore left fielder David Lee (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) went 2-for-5 with one run scored and McCaskey finished with three RBI.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Monday, March 8, when they conclude the series against Walsh with a nine-inning contest at 12 p.m.