WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 20) – The California (PA) baseball team was swept in a doubleheader by IUP at Wild Things Park on Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, suffering a 13-2 loss in Game 1 before falling by a 6-2 margin in Game 2.
RECORDS/SERIES
• The Vulcans fall to 24-12 this season with a 10-8 mark in league action.
• The Crimson Hawks improve to 23-10 overall behind a 12-6 record in divisional play.
• The Vulcans now sit fifth in the PSAC West standings with 10 conference games left in the regular season.
• IUP has won three of the last four meeting at Wild Things Park after Cal won nine-straight home games in the series from 2018-22.
GAME 1
STATS
• Junior left fielder
Ryan Callahan finished with two hits, one RBI and one run scored.
• Freshman starting pitcher
Beau Bigam (1-2) suffered the loss after surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on four hits and three walks in 2.0 innings (55 pitches).
• Junior
Jaret Muckley allowed one run (earned) while logging 3.0 innings of relief on Saturday.
ACTION
• IUP took a 3-0 lead in the top of first on a three-run homer by shortstop David Kessler.
• The Crimson Hawks scored five runs on five singles and two walks in the third inning to stretch the lead to 8-0.
• IUP scored three runs in the fourth before Cal countered with solo homers by Callahan and senior catcher
Hunter Fiori in the bottom half.
• The Crimson Hawks then scored one run both the fifth and sixth innings.
• IUP starting pitcher Derrick Shields (3-3) posted the complete-game victory after yielding two runs (both earned) while tallying six strikeouts over 7.0 innings (86 pitches).
GAME 2
STATS
• Junior first baseman
Nathan Meeks collected three hits in the contest.
• Sophomore
Michael Valente (4-2) was dealt the loss after allowing six runs (all earned) in 6.1 innings (93 pitches) with five runs being scored on homers.
ACTION
• The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the first on a two-out RBI single by Callahan.
• IUP tied the score in the fifth inning on a leadoff homer by designated hitter Elijah Dunn.
• The Crimson Hawks then scored three runs in the sixth behind a two-run homer by first baseman Brady Yard.
• Cal cut the deficit to 4-2 in the sixth when pinch runner
Shane Levan scored on a wild pitch.
• IUP added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh on a two-run homer by second baseman Harrison Pontoli, a two-time All-PSAC West selection.
• Crimson Hawk starting pitcher Mark Edeburn (4-1) earned the win after yielding two runs (both earned) on six hits in 5.1 innings (88 pitches) with six strikeouts.
NEXT
• The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Sunday, April 21, when they travel to IUP for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.
