WASHINGTON, Pa. (Feb 17) – The California (PA) baseball team opened its season with a 12-6 win over Lock Haven in non-conference action at Wild Things Park on Friday afternoon.

With the victory, the Vulcans start the season 1-0 overall and have won five-straight games on Opening Day. Meanwhile, the Bald Eagles drop to 2-2 this year after being tabbed eighth in the preseason Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East poll.

Sophomore left fielder Ryan Callahan (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley), a transfer from Wright State (Ohio), went 4-for-5 with a double, a solo homer, two RBI, four runs scored and two stolen bases. Junior designated hitter Jayden Taitano (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) tallied two hits and three RBI, while sophomore shortstop Nathan Meeks (New Castle, Pa./Union) registered three hits, two RBI, one run scored and one walk. Senior right fielder Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) went 2-for-4 with a double, a three-run homer and two runs scored.

Lock Haven was able to take a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI ground-out before shortstop Gavin Troutman notched a three-run homer in the second to extend the lead to 4-0. The Vulcans answered back in the bottom of the inning by tying the the score at 4-4. Senior catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) started the second with a triple to right center before Taitano followed with an RBI single. Meeks then reached on a bunt single before both runners advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt and Rockacy blasted a three-run homer down the left-field line.

Cal claimed a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the third on a two-out RBI single by redshirt freshman first baseman Conor Carney (Harmony, Pa./Seneca Valley), who was making his college debut. The Vulcans stretched the lead to 9-4 in the fourth by scoring four runs on three hits, two walks and two errors. Callahan delivered an RBI single to left field before a fielding error loaded the bases with one out. Following a pitching change, Taitano and Meeks followed with back-to-back RBI singles.

In the bottom of the sixth, Callahan launched a solo homer - the first of his collegiate career - to left field to give Cal a 10-4 edge. The Bald Eagles countered with a two-run single in the sixth after a two-out error loaded the bases. The Vulcans answered in the bottom of the inning when Rockacy scored on an RBI ground-out after starting the seventh with a double. Callahan manufactured a run in the eighth after starting the inning with an infield single. He then stole second and third before scoring on an RBI ground-out by Taitano, 12-6.

Senior Devin Foster (Davidsville, Pa./Conemaugh Township) earned the win while making his first career start on Opening Day. He allowed four runs (all earned) on five hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts in 5.0 innings (82 pitches). Freshman Nathan Holmes (North Versailles, Pa./East Allegheny) yielded two runs (both unearned) on two hits over 3.0 innings (68 pitches) of relief while recording three strikeouts. Senior David Lee (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson), formerly an outfielder, retired the Bald Eagles in order in the top of the ninth while making his college debut as a pitcher.

Lock Haven starter Kevin Worek (1-1) suffered the loss after surrendering five runs (all earned) on seven hits and two walks in 3.0 innings (57 pitches).

Cal returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 18, as it hosts Lake Erie in non-conference play at Wild Things Park, starting at 3 p.m.