JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (March 21) – The Vulcans started Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play by claiming a doubleheader sweep at Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday afternoon, winning 11-2 in Game 1 before posting a 7-3 victory in Game 2.
NOTES
• California (11-5, 2-0) swept the road doubleheader in the series with UPJ for the first time since the 2022 season.
• Junior designated hitter
Ikon Jones tallied a combined five hits and three runs scored.
• Sophomore second baseman
Peyton Ford belted a homer in each game of the twinbill and scored four runs.
GAME 1
• Junior
Beau Bigam (3-1) earned a complete-game victory after allowing two runs (both earned) on nine hits and zero walks.
• He tied his career high with seven strikeouts over 7.0 innings (83 pitches).
• Jones finished with four hits and three runs scored, while Ford reached base three times (solo homer, hit by pitch, walk) and scored twice.
• Sophomore first baseman
Cole Fleck posted two hits and two runs scored and freshman center fielder
Charlie Nigut recorded two hits, one RBI, one run scored and one walk.
• Cal took a 1-0 lead in the second on a bases-loaded RBI single by junior third baseman
Caleb Collins.
• In the top of the third, Ford led off the inning with a homer before Jones scored on a throwing error, 3-0.
• The Vulcans scored six runs in the fifth before the Mountain Cats answered with a two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the inning, 9-2.
• Cal added a single run in both the sixth and seventh innings.
GAME 2
• Senior right fielder
Connor Evans collected three hits and two RBI, while redshirt freshman
Chad Helwich scored three runs.
• The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the first on a leadoff homer by Helwich before the Mountain Cats tied the score in the bottom of the second.
• Evans delivered an RBI triple in the top of the third and Ford belted a solo homer in the fifth.
• Cal extended its lead to 7-3 with four runs in the seventh after Helwich and Ford started the inning with walks.
• Sophomore
Coleman Fletcher (1-0) posted the win after allowing one run (earned) on one hit and two walks in 2.0 innings of relief.
• Freshman
Evan Stranko retired UPJ in order in the seventh to preserve the victory.
• Senior
Nathan Holmes took a no-decision after yielding two runs (both earned) on six hits in 4.0 innings (61 pitches).
NEXT
• The Vulcans continue their series with Pitt-Johnstown tomorrow, Sunday, March 22, with a doubleheader at EQT Park in Washington, Pennsylvania, at 1 p.m.
