DAVENPORT, Fla. (March 7) – The Vulcans tallied 20 hits and scored seven runs in the ninth inning on Friday afternoon while earning a 15-7 win over preseason nationally-ranked Ashland (OH) in non-conference action.
NOTES
• The California (PA) baseball team (7-2) set a season high in runs while scoring double-digits for the third time this spring.
• Senior first baseman
Payton Conte registered five RBI behind a three-run homer and scored two runs.
• Sophomore center fielder
Ikon Jones tallied three hits, three RBI and two runs scored from the leadoff spot, while senior designated hitter
Santino Marra and senior third baseman
Nathan Meeks both finished with three hits and one run scored.
• Sophomore second baseman
Jason Nuttridge and freshman shortstop
Peyton Ford both collected two hits and scored a combined five runs.
• Senior left fielder
Ryan Callahan and junior right fielder
Connor Evans both registered two hits and combined for four RBI and three runs scored.
• Cal took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second before Ashland tied the score in the fourth inning.
• The Vulcans reclaimed the lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly before a three-run homer by Conte in the seventh inning, 6-2.
• Ashland countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning before both teams scored twice in the eighth.
• Cal seized control of the game with seven runs on five hits and two walks in the top of the ninth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Callahan after Conte was intentionally walked.
• Junior preseason All-American reliever
Jake Kramer (1-0) earned the win while making his first career starter, allowing two runs (both earned) with six strikeouts in 5.0 innings (84 pitches).
• Sophomore
Josh Bryson was credited with his second save of the year after yielding two runs (both earned) in 2.1 innings of relief with four strikeouts.
• The Eagles earned 42 victories last year and made a third-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
NEXT
• Cal will finish its trip to Florida tomorrow, Saturday, March 8, against Assumption (MA) at 9:45 a.m.