WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 11) – Despite coming back from a five-run deficit, the Vulcans suffered a 13-10 loss versus West Liberty in non-conference action at Wild Things Park on Tuesday afternoon.

With the loss, the California (PA) baseball team drops to .500 this season with a 13-13 overall record. The Vulcans have posted a 9-5 mark at home while they were also playing their first non-conference game since March 29. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers improve to 11-22 this spring.

After falling behind 5-0 in the top of the first, the Vulcans countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double to left center by sophomore left fielder Ryan Callahan (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley), 5-2. In the bottom of the second, Cal again cut the deficit on a two-run homer by senior center fielder Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) and before tying the score at 5-5 on an RBI double down the left-field line by junior shortstop Brett Bobin (Wampum, Pa./Mohawk).

West Liberty claimed the lead once again after scoring six runs on seven hits in the top of the third, 11-5. The Hilltoppers extended their advantage with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. The Vulcans countered with five runs in the bottom of the inning to trim the deficit to 13-10. Freshman right fielder Jake Walker (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) collected a two-run, bases-loaded single before Cal later scored twice on sacrifices. Callahan then posted a two-out RBI single to center field, 13-10. The Vulcans later threatened with runners on the corners with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Bobin finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored, while Callahan went 2-for-5 with three RBI. Redshirt freshman third baseman Conor Carney (Harmony, Pa./Seneca Valley) went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Walker tallied two hits, two RBI and one run.

The Vulcans used six different pitchers in the contest on Tuesday. Sophomore Devin Foster (Davidsville, Pa./Conemaugh Township) suffered the loss after surrendering six runs (all earned) on seven hits in 1.1 innings of relief. Senior Joshua Bogdan (Bel Air, Md./Fallston) tossed 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, while freshman Michael Valente (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven) tallied three strikeouts in 2.1 scoreless innings of work against the Hilltoppers.

Cal returns to the diamond on Friday, April 14, as it opens the weekend series against IUP with a doubleheader at Wild Things Park, starting at 1 p.m.