WASHINGTON, Pa. (March 18) – The Vulcans scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning on Tuesday afternoon to earn a 15-13 win against Wheeling in non-conference action while playing at Wild Things Park for the first time this spring.
NOTES
• California (12-2) extends its winning streak to seven games after scoring double-digit runs for the fourth time this season.
• The Vulcans played on the newly installed artificial surface at their home facility for the first time.
• The top of the lineup consisting of sophomore center fielder
Ikon Jones, senior designated hitter
Payton Conte and senior left fielder
Ryan Callahan combined for six hits, seven RBI, six runs scored and four walks.
• Senior third baseman
Nathan Meeks scored three runs and junior right fielder
Connor Evans registered four RBI.
• Cal took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run double by Callahan and a two-out RBI single by Evans.
• The Cardinals responded with five runs in the second before the Vulcans cut the deficit to 7-5 in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double by Conte.
• Cal later scored five runs in the fourth inning on just one hit after benefiting from three walks and four hit by pitches, 10-7.
• The Vulcans added a pair of two-out RBI singles from Jones and Callahan in the bottom of the sixth.
• Wheeling again scored five runs in the seventh before Cal tied the score at 13-13 on an error in the bottom of the inning.
• Cal broke the tie with a bases-loaded hit by pitch in the eighth before adding an insurance run on a two-out single by sophomore
Jason Nuttridge, who entered the game at second base in the seventh.
• The Vulcans used 10 different pitchers in the victory with none working more than 1.2 innings.
• Freshman
Colin Watson (3-0) was credited with the victory after working 1.0 inning of scoreless relief in the eighth.
• Junior
Jake Kramer recorded his third save of the season after retiring the Cardinals in order in the ninth inning.
• Kramer now sits alone for fifth all-time in PSAC history with a school-record 19 saves.
NEXT
• Cal begins PSAC West play this weekend with a four-game series against Lock Haven, starting with a doubleheader at Wild Things Park on Friday, March 21, at 1 p.m.
• The Bald Eagles shifted to the PSAC West in baseball this spring following the departure of Mercyhurst to the NCAA Division I level.