WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 23) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team split a doubleheader against Pitt-Johnstown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action on Saturday afternoon at Wild Things Park, suffering a 3-2 loss in Game 1 before earning a 5-1 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 25-14 this season behind a 10-10 mark in divisional play. Cal U has won three of four meetings against UPJ in each of the last three seasons dating back to the 2019 campaign. Meanwhile, the Mountain Cats stand at 16-22-1 overall with a 4-16 record in conference action.

In Game 2, senior Dylan Brosky (East Millsboro, Pa./Brownsville) earned the victory to improve to 6-3 this season. He allowed one run (earned) on just one hit while tallying five strikeouts in 5.0 innings (66 pitches). Sophomore Troy Lincavage (Amber, Pa./Legend (Colo.)) was credited with the save after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. UPJ starter Will Fetrow suffered the loss after yielding three runs (all earned) on five hits in 5.0 innings.

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI double by senior shortstop Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler). Pitt-Johnstown answered in the fifth with an RBI double following a leadoff walk to tie the score, 1-1. In the bottom of the fifth, the Vulcans regained the lead when senior designated hitter Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum, Pa./Deer Lakes) belted a two-run homer to left field, his team-leading ninth of the season, 3-1. Cal U stretched its lead in the sixth as junior Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) delivered a pinch-hit, two-run home run with two outs to give the Vulcans a 5-1 lead.

Senior catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) finished 2-for-3, while Venezia reached base in all three plate appearances (double, walk, hit by pitch). McCaskey and Rockacy each tallied a two-run home run.

In Game 1, the score was tied at 2-2 before the Mountain Cats manufactured one run in the top of the seventh to claim the victory. Pitt-Johnstown began the inning with a leadoff single before advancing the runner to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a wild pitch moved the runner to third, shortstop Mario Disso recorded an RBI single to center field to give the Mountain Cats a 3-2 lead.

Freshman Roman Gill (Hopewell, Pa./Hopewell) was saddled with the loss after surrendering one run (earned) on two hits in 1.1 innings of relief. Junior stater Devin Foster (Davidsville, Pa./Conemaugh Township) was dealt a no-decision after yielding two runs (both earned) on five hits and three walks in 5.1 innings (72 pitches). Pitt-Johnstown starter Ben Briggs earned the complete-game victory after surrendering two runs (both earned) on six hits over 7.0 innings (90 pitches).

Cal U took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Venezia belted a solo homer to left field. The Mountain Cats responded in the fourth with a two-out RBI single to tie the score at 1-1. In the bottom half of the inning, the Vulcans regained the lead as Venezia recorded his second solo homer of the day and fourth of the season. Pitt-Johnstown rallied in the top of the fifth with back-to-back, two-out singles following a fielder's choice, 2-2.

Cal U threatened in the bottom of the seventh as redshirt freshman Santino Marra (Uniontown, Pa./Conestoga Valley) led off with a pinch-hit single to center field. Marra advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before moving to third on a wild pitch. However, the Vulcans stranded the game-tying run at third.

Venezia went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo of home runs, while McCaskey reached on a single and an intentional walk in the loss.

Cal U returns to action on Friday, April 29, when it hosts Clarion for a PSAC West doubleheader at Wild Things Park, beginning at 1 p.m.