WASHINGTON, Pa (Feb. 18) – The Vulcans scored a combined 16 runs over the last three innings on Saturday evening to earn a 21-7 victory against Lake Erie in non-conference action at Wild Things Park.

With the win, the Vulcans advance to 2-0 overall after scoring a combined 33 runs over the last two days. Meanwhile, The Storm drop to 0-2 this spring under second-year head coach Landon Hutchinson.

Sophomore second baseman Santino Marra (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands) recorded a career-high four hits and tallied four RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore left fielder Ryan Callahan (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) went 3-for-5 with a triple, a two-run homer, five RBI, four runs scored and two walks. Sophomore third baseman Payton Conte (California, Pa./California) tallied three hits and four RBI, while redshirt freshman first baseman Conor Carney (Harmony, Pa./Seneca Valley) registered two hits, two RBI and one run. Sophomore center fielder Adam Crawford (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) notched two hits, one RBI and three runs scored from the leadoff spot.

Cal gained the early advantage in the bottom of the second when Carney recorded a two-out RBI single down the right-field line to give the Vulcans a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the third, Marra collected an RBI single to right center that allowed Crawford to score from first and Conte followed with an RBI single through the right side to score Marra, who advanced to second on a throwing error, 3-0.

Lake Erie cut the deficit to 3-1 in the top of the fourth on an RBI single before center fielder Justin Major blasted a grand slam with two outs to give The Storm a 5-3 edge. Later in the inning, Lake Erie executed a double-steal to increase the lead to 6-3. The Vulcans countered with a pair of runs on just one hit in the bottom of the fifth, 6-5. Callahan reached on a walk and later scored on a wild pitch and senior catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) eventually scored on an error following a failed pickoff attempt. The Storm answered with a two-out RBI-single in the top of the sixth to take a 7-5 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning, Cal loaded the bases on three walks before Callahan blasted a three-run triple to right center and later scored on a wild pitch to give the Vulcans a 9-7 lead. Cal extended the lead by scoring a combined 12 runs in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, sophomore shortstop Nathan Meeks (New Castle, Pa./Union) started the inning with a single and advanced to third on a pair of stolen bases before scoring on a sacrifice fly. Senior right fielder Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) followed with a double and scored on an RBI single by Marra. Conte then delivered an RBI single before Callahan belted a two-run homer, his second in as many days.

The Vulcans added another seven runs in the bottom of the eighth on five hits, three walks and two hit by pitch. Crawford collected an RBI single with the bases loaded and Marra followed with a two-run double to left center, 17-7. Following a pitching change, Conte registered a two-run single before Cal later scored its final two runs of the game on bases-load walks.

Freshman Jake Kramer (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) earned the win in his college debut, tallying three strikeouts in 1.1 innings of relief. Sophomore starter Roman Gill (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) took a no-decision while registering seven strikeouts in 3.2 innings (83 pitches). Lake Erie reliever Jake Vasil (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing four runs (all earned) on one hit and four walks in 1.0 inning. The teams combined to use 12 pitchers in the contest and both teams issued 11 walks.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 19, as they face Wheeling in non-league play at Wild Things Park, starting at 3 p.m.