WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 30) – Behind a pair of stellar pitching performances, the California (PA) baseball team swept Pitt-Johnstown in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West doubleheader at Wild Things Park on Sunday afternoon, notching a 10-2 win in Game 1 followed by a 5-1 victory in Game 2.

With the sweep, the Vulcans advance to 24-19 overall with an 11-13 record in PSAC West play as they enter the final week of the regular season. Meanwhile, the Mountain Cats drop to 15-30 this season behind an 8-16 mark in league action.

In Game 1, the Vulcans gained early control in the second inning when senior right fielder Colby Rockacy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) scored classmate catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) on an RBI bunt single followed by sophomore third baseman Nathan Meeks (New Castle, Pa./Union) crossing home plate on a throwing error, 2-0. Sophomore second baseman Santino Marra (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands) gave Cal a 3-0 edge after scoring Rockacy on an RBI single to center field. In the third inning, sophomore first baseman Payton Conte (California, Pa./California) blasted a three-run double down the left-field line to extend the advantage to 6-0. Rockacy drove in Conte from third base on a bunt, 7-0.

Cal continued to build momentum in the fourth inning with an RBI double from sophomore left fielder Ryan Callahan (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) before Marra blasted a two-run homer in the fifth as he stretched the lead to 10-0. In the sixth inning, UPJ trimmed its deficit to 10-2, however, the Mountain Cats were held at bay for the remainder of the game.

Marra finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate with a trio of RBI while launching his second home run of the season. Conte went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored, while Rockacy collected two hits and two RBI. Freshman starting pitcher Nathan Holmes (North Versailles, Pa./East Allegheny) earned the win as he allowed two runs (both earned) on four hits in addition to a pair of strikeouts over 5.1 innings. UPJ starting pitcher Austin Hammerle was dealt the loss after yielding seven runs (three earned) on six hits in 2.2 innings.

In Game 2, the Vulcans picked up where they left off as Stewart recorded an RBI single to left center to score Marra, 1-0. In the second inning Cal grew its lead to 3-0 after a fielding error by the outfield scored Meeks followed by junior shortstop Brett Bobin (Wampum, Pa./Mohawk) knocking in Marra on a single through the left side. Callahan extended the Cal advantage to 4-0 after an RBI double to left center in the fifth inning. Later on, Callahan scored on a wild pitch as the Vulcans led by a 5-0 margin. The Mountain Cats were able to score a run on an RBI single through the right side to cut the deficit to 5-1.

Meeks went 2-for-3 with a run scored and Stewart registered two hits and one RBI. Bobin and Callahan each posted a hit and RBI. Freshman starting pitcher Dylan Mathiesen (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour) posted the victory while only surrendering one hit and held the Mountains Cats scoreless with four strikeouts in 6.0 innings. UPJ starting pitcher Ben Tomb suffered the loss as he allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits in 4.0 innings.

Cal returns to action on Friday, May 5, as it travels to face Clarion in a conference doubleheader, starting at 1 p.m.