NUTTER FORT, W.Va, (March 30) – The Vulcans scored three runs in the top of the seventh of Game 2 on Wednesday afternoon to claim a spit of a doubleheader at Salem in non-conference play, suffering an 8-2 loss in Game 1 before earning a 7-6 victory in Game 2.
With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 15-5 this season with a 3-1 mark on the road. The Vulcans have won 14 of the last 15 meetings against the Tigers dating back to the 2014 campaign. Meanwhile, Salem stands at 6-24 overall while playing as independent.
In Game 2, Cal U held a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning before surrendering four runs in the bottom of the inning to trail 6-4. The Vulcans scored three runs on two hits and two walks in the top of the seventh. After a walk and a single by senior second baseman
Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) to begin the rally, freshman center fielder
Adam Crawford (North Fayette, Pa./West Allegheny) recorded a sacrifice fly to trim the deficit to 6-5. Senior shortstop
Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes) was issued an intentional walk before senior right fielder
Patrick Brogan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) collected an RBI single to tie the score, 6-6. Sophomore designated hitter
Jayden Taitano (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) registered a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Vulcans the lead.
McCaskey went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while Brogan collected two hits, three RBI and one run scored in the win. Brogan also became the first player since the tandem of Eric Fairman and Kristian Webb (2016-19) to record 100 RBI in a career.
Cal U took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on four hits in the inning. Brogan collected a two-run RBI double to left field before senior third baseman
Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) registered an RBI single up the middle. The Vulcans stretched the lead in the third on a sacrifice fly to right field by Conte, 4-0. Salem trimmed the deficit in the bottom of the fifth by scoring two runs on two hits and a walk. The Tigers cut the lead on an RBI single before catcher Tyler Shinn belted a three-run homer to left center in the sixth, 6-4.
Senior
Patrick Gumto (Allison Park, Pa./Shaler) earned his first victory of the season in his 50th career appearance after working 1.2 innings (24 pitches) of no-hit, scoreless relief with one strikeout. Redshirt freshman
Jaret Muckley (Green, Ohio/Green) took a no decision after making his first career start, surrendering no runs on three hits with two walks in 4.0 innings (51 pitches).
In Game 1, freshman
Roman Gill (Hopewell, Pa./Hopewell) was saddled with the loss while allowing five runs (all earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings (72 pitches). Redshirt senior Frankie Cleary earned the complete-game victory after allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits with five strikeouts over 7.0 innings (82 pitches).
The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single before scoring four runs on five hits, a walk and an error in the second, 5-0. In the sixth, Cal U trimmed the lead after scoring two runs on three hits. Taitano recorded an RBI single to center field before Conte singled to right field, scoring Brogan, 5-2. Salem added three runs in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back homer runs.
Taitano finished 2-for-3 with one RBI, while McCaskey and Brogan each collected one hit and one run scored in the loss.
Cal U returns to action on Friday, April 1, when it travels to Slippery Rock for a PSAC West doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m.
