INDIANA, Pa. (April 11) – The Vulcans suffered an 8-4 loss in Game 1 at IUP on Monday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play before Game 2 was postponed due to rainfall in the area.

With the loss, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team falls to 21-9 overall behind a 6-5 record in conference action. The Vulcans previously won 12-consecutive meetings against the Crimson Hawks dating to the 2019 campaign. Meanwhile, IUP improves to 14-14 this season with a 6-5 mark in league play.

The Crimson Hawks claimed a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the second after nine-straight hits. IUP added to the lead in the fifth on a two-run homer by second baseman Harrison Pontoli, 8-4. Redshirt freshman Jaret Muckley (Green, Ohio/Green) was saddled with the loss after surrendering six runs (all earned) on nine hits in 1.1 innings.

Cal U took a 3-0 lead in the top of second on Monday behind a two-run homer from freshman first baseman Payton Conte (California, Pa./California), his second of the year. The Crimson Hawks responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning with one out before freshman Roman Gill (Hopewell, Pa./Hopewell) entered the contest with the bases loaded. Gill then retired the next two batters to end the threat.

In the fourth, sophomore designated hitter Jayden Taitano (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) belted a solo homer – his third of the season. Redshirt freshman second baseman Santino Marra (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands) and Conte followed with back-to-back walks and executed a double steal before being stranded in scoring position.

Taitano finished 2-for-3 with a solo homer, two RBI and two runs scored. Conte registered a pair of RBI while posting his second home run in less than a week.

The Vulcans conclude the series with the Crimson Hawks tomorrow, Tuesday, April 12, with a single seven-inning contest in Indiana, Pennsylvania, at 2 p.m.

Note, Cal U canceled its previously scheduled home game against Lok Haven set for tomorrow.