LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (March 9) – The California (PA) baseball team posted a 4-2 record during its spring trip to Southeastern Florida after playing three games against both Northeast-10 (NE-10) Conference and Sunshine State Conference (SSC) programs, including a win over a nationally-ranked opponent.

Junior first baseman Payton Conte led the team with a .575 average (11-for-19) and finished with three RBI and four runs scored. Junior second baseman Santino Marra paced the team with eight RBI while hitting at a .429 clip (12-for-28) with five runs scored. Junior third baseman Nathan Meeks and freshman center fielder Ikon Jones both posted averages of at least .350 and combined to score 10 runs and steal seven bases.

Junior Jackson Miller posted a 1-1 record and a 1.64 ERA over 11.0 innings pitched while starting twice in Florida. Sophomore Jake Kramer and freshman Josh Bryson both made a pair of relief appearances and worked a combined 8.1 innings without allowing an earned run.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3
The Vulcans opened the trip with a 5-0 win over Assumption (Mass.) in Game 1 of a doubleheader before Game 2 was canceled due to severe rain. Full recap is available by clicking HERE.

MONDAY, MARCH 4
Cal suffered a 6-1 loss at Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) after allowing five runs in the bottom of the third. Freshman third baseman Caleb Collins tallied three hits, while Marra added a pair of hits. Sophomore starting pitcher Luke Treloar (0-2) was saddled with the loss after surrendering five runs (four earned) on two hits and four walks in 3.2 innings.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5
The Vulcans posted four runs in the top of the eighth before scoring the game-winning run in the top of the 11th at No. 14 Lynn (Fla.). Meeks and Jones both collected three hits and scored a pair of runs, while Marra finished with three hits, one run scored and one walk. Junior left fielder Ryan Callahan delivered the game-winning, RBI double in the top of the 11th. Kramer (1-0) earned the win after logging 3.2 innings of scoreless relief with a pair of strikeouts.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
Cal canceled its night game at Palm Beach Atlantic due to weather conditions.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7
The Vulcans were idle.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8
Cal earned a pair of victories while playing at two different sites along the southeastern coast of Florida.

The Vulcans scored four runs in the top of the fifth and six runs in the sixth inning to open the day with a 12-6 victory at Barry (Fla.). Meeks posted four hits with one RBI and one run scored and sophomore designated hitter Colin Patterson added three hits, two RBI and one run scored. Senior catcher Jayden Taitano recorded three hits, including a three-run homer, four RBI and two runs scored, plus Conte finished with three hits, two runs scored and one walk. Sophomore Nathan Holmes (1-0) claimed the victory after allowing three runs (all unearned) in 5.0 innings with five strikeouts.

Cal then captured an 11-7 win against Assumption in a game that was added to the schedule after weather forced the cancellation of multiple contests. Marra tallied three hits, three RBI and two runs scored, while Conte added three hits and two RBI. Callahan and senior right fielder Colby Rockacy both finished with a pair of hits and two RBI in the victory. Jones posted a pair of hits, three runs scored and two walks from the leadoff spot and Collins tallied two hits, one RBI and one run scored after entering the game as a pinch-hitter. Junior Aidan Ruiz (1-0) earned the win after allowing one run (earned) in 2.2 innings of relief. Redshirt freshman Ryan Sluk recorded the save after posting 1.2 innings of scoreless relief with all five outs being via strikeout.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9
The Vulcans closed their trip with a 4-2 loss to Bentley (Mass.) after allowing one run in each of the opening three innings. Freshmen catcher Conner McTighe and Jones both collected a pair of hits in the contest. Miller (1-2) suffered the loss after yielding three runs (two earned) over 5.0 innings.

NEXT
Cal returns to action on Wednesday, March 13, when it hosts a single contest against Davis & Elkins at Wild Things Park, starting at 1 p.m.