BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (April 18) – The California (PA) baseball team earned an extra-inning victory in Game 1 and overcame a four-run deficit in the nightcap to sweep a doubleheader at Fairmont State in non-conference play on Tuesday afternoon, winning by 8-5 margin in eight innings in Game 1 before posting a 12-8 victory in Game 2.

With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 18-14 while extending their winning streak to five games. Meanwhile, the Fighting Falcons fall to 9-27 overall this season after finishing last spring with 27 victories.

In Game 1, Cal claimed an early 1-0 lead in the first inning following a sacrifice fly from sophomore first baseman Payton Conte (California, Pa./California). The Vulcans extended their advantage to 4-0 after a trio of runs in the third inning, first an RBI double from senior designated hitter David Lee (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) followed by another sacrifice fly from Conte before junior catcher Jayden Taitano (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) launched a solo home run to right center, his first home run of the season.

The Fighting Falcons countered in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs to cut the deficit to 4-2. Sophomore second baseman Santino Marra (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands) was able to drive in sophomore center fielder Adam Crawford (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) on an RBI single up the middle in the fourth inning, 5-2. During the fifth, Fairmont State rallied to tie the score at 5-5- following an RBI single through the left side and a two-run double to left field. The teams were held scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings to force extra innings.

The Vulcans seized the lead in the top of the eighth as Marra brought in pinch hitter Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) while being hit by a pitch in a bases-loaded situation, 6-5. Junior shortstop Brett Bobin (Wampum, Pa./Mohawk) recorded an RBI on a walk and Conte then reached on a fielding error that allowed senior right fielder Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) to score, 8-5.

Marra finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and Conte went 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI. Lee tallied a pair of hits with an RBI and scored a run. Freshman Michael Valente (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven) earned the win after scattering one hit over 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. Freshman starting pitcher Sam Georgiana (Canonsburg, Pa./Seton LaSalle) was dealt a no-decision while surrendering two runs (both earned) on two hits and tallied a season-high five strikeouts in 3.0 innings.

In Game 2, the Fighting Falcons took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Crawford registered a sacrifice fly in the second inning before Fairmont State countered with an RBI single in the third inning. The teams then traded runs in the fourth before Cal tied the score at 4-4 in the fifth inning. Stewart blasted a solo home run to right field before Bobin notched an RBI single to second base. The Fighting Falcons answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to lead by an 8-4 margin.

The Vulcans rallied in the sixth, scoring five runs first from a bases-load walk followed by a sacrifice fly from Rockacy before Marra clobbered a three-run homer over the left-field fence to give Cal a 9-8 edge. Marra once again drove in a trio of runs in the seventh inning after hitting a bases-loaded triple to right field, 12-8.

Marra finished the game 4-for-6 with a career-best six RBI and scored one run. Bobin went 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBI, while freshman third baseman Conor Carney (Harmony, Pa./Seneca Valley) recorded three hits and scored twice.

Senior relief pitcher Devin Foster (Davidsville, Pa./Conemaugh Township) collected the win. Freshman relief pitcher Jake Kramer (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) posted the save – his fifth of the year - while striking out three batters in 2.0 innings.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Wednesday, April 19, as they host Ohio Dominican in a non-conference bout at 12 p.m.