WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 16) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team extended its winning streak to seven games while recording a 2-0 shutout victory against West Liberty in non-conference action on Wednesday afternoon at Wild Things Park.

With the win, the Vulcans improve to 12-3 overall behind a 7-3 mark at home. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers remain winless this season while dropping to 0-13.

Senior Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes) earned the win on Wednesday, as he tossed 7.0 scoreless innings (103 pitches) to improve to 2-0 this season. He scattered two hits and issued two walks while tallying six strikeouts in the victory. Redshirt freshman Aidan Ruiz (Perry Hall, Md./The John Carrol School) earned his second save of the year with 1.0 scoreless inning of releif (18 pitches), striking out two and surrendering one walk.

West Liberty looked to take an early lead in the top of the first with a leadoff double down the left-field line. McCaskey then struck out the next two batters and ended the inning with a ground-out. Cal U claimed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when freshman first baseman Payton Conte (California, Pa./California) ripped a two-out RBI single to score senior third baseman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California).

The Vulcans extended their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third. Senior shortstop Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) started the inning with a single and stole second base before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Venezia then scored on a ground-out by freshman center fielder Adam Crawford (North Fayette, Pa./West Allegheny). The Hilltoppers began the fourth with a walk and a fielder's choice before senior catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) picked off the runner at first base for the second out. Later in the inning, West Liberty had runners on first and second before McCaskey picked off the lead runner at second to end the inning.

Venezia finished 2-for-4 with one run scored and one stolen base, while Stewart collected two hits in the victory.

West Liberty utilized four different pitchers in the contest with each logging 2.0 innings of work. Starter Ian Brady (0-3) was saddled with the loss after allowing one run (earned) on three hits.

Cal U returns to action on Tuesday, March 22, when it hosts Salem for a nine-inning, non-conference contest at Wild Things Park with first pitch at 1 p.m.