WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 20) – The Vulcans scored 17 runs with two outs while sweeping a doubleheader against West Liberty in non-conference play at Wild Things Park on Wednesday afternoon, winning 7-4 in Game 1 before rolling to a 15-4 victory in Game 2.
RECORDS/SERIES
• The California (PA) baseball team improves to 10-4 this season, including a 5-0 mark against Mountain East Conference (MEC) programs.
• The Hilltoppers fall to 4-14 overall after being picked third in the preseason MEC North Division poll.
• The Vulcans have won eight of nine meetings in the series since the 2018 campaign.
GAME 1
STATS
• Junior second baseman
Santino Marra reached base in all four plate appearances (two singles, two walks) and tallied one RBI, one run scored and one steal.
• Junior left fielder
Ryan Callahan collected two hits, one RBI and one walk, while senior right fielder
Colby Rockacy finished with two hits, one RBI and two runs scored.
• Sophomore
Sam Georgiana (1-0) earned the win after working 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
ACTION
• West Liberty took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-out double before left fielder James Salvatori delivered a two-run homer, his seventh of the year, in the third inning.
• The Vulcans responded in the fourth by batting around, scoring four runs on three hits, one walk, two hit by pitches and one error to take a 4-3 lead.
• Rockacky delivered an RBI single before scoring on a bases-load walk by Marra and Callahan then followed with an RBI single.
• West Liberty tied the score at 4-4 in the fifth on an RBI single by Salvatori, who collected four hits in Game 1.
• Rockacy led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple to left center before freshman center fielder
Ikon Jones followed with an RBI single through the middle.
• Senior catcher
Jayden Taitano later posted a two-run single with two outs, 7-4.
• West Liberty reliefer Craig Wilson (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on six hits in 2.1 innings of work.
GAME 2
STATS
• Sophomore first baseman
Conor Carney registered three extra-base hits (two doubles, triple), a career-high five RBI, three runs scored and one walk.
• Marra added three hits, two RBI and one stolen base, while Callahan posted three hits, one RBI and one run scored.
• Junior designated hitter
Payton Conte belted a two-run homer, while freshman infielder
Caleb Collins totaled two hits, two RBI, one run scored and one steal in the win.
• Senior
Brett Bobin collected pair of hits and two runs scored while coming off the bench.
• The Vulcans used five different pitchers in the nightcap with none working more than 2.0 innings.
• Freshman
Evan Ables (1-0) was credited with the victory after tossing 2.0 no-hit innings of relief.
ACTION
• Cal raced out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a two-out double by Callahan and a two-run homer by Conte, his second of the year.
• The Vulcans also added three runs with two outs in the second inning, 6-0.
• Carney delivered a two-run triple to right center before Marra followed with an RBI double.
• West Liberty countered with three runs in the third before Cal responded with three runs in the fifth, 9-3.
• Collins collected a bases-loaded single before Rockacy laced a two-run single to left field.
• The Vulcans scored six runs in the sixth, highlighted a three-run double by Carney and an RBI triple by Marra – both with two outs.
• West Liberty starter Luke Foley (0-1) was roughed up for six runs (all earned) on seven hits in 2.0 innings.
NEXT
• The Vulcans are set to open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play this weekend with a four-game series against Clarion, starting with a doubleheader at Wild Things Park on Friday, March 22, at 1 p.m.
