LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (March 27) – The California (PA) baseball team scored a combined 26 runs on Friday afternoon while sweeping a doubleheader at Lock Haven in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, posting an 11-6 victory in Game 1 and a 15-9 win in Game 2.
NOTES
• The Vulcans (14-7, 5-1) have scored double-digit runs eight times this spring.
• Freshman center fielder
Charlie Nigut tallied four hits, four RBI, four runs scored and four steals against the Bald Eagles.
• Cal totaled 29 hits, all extra-base hits being doubles, and drew 14 walks in the doubleheader.
GAME 1
• The Vulcans held a 10-0 lead before the Bald Eagles scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
• Redshirt freshman left fielder
Chad Helwich reached base five times (three hits, two walks) and scored two runs from the leadoff spot.
• Junior third baseman
Caleb Collins posted three hits and two runs scored, while Nigut finished with two hits, two RBI, two runs scored, one walk and three steals.
• In the top of the third, Cal scored six runs after six-straight batters reached on hits.
• Junior designated hitter
Ikon Jones collected a two-run single in the inning and junior catcher
Kyle Rizzo later delivered a two-run double.
• Nigut added an RBI single in the fourth and later scored on a sacrifice fly, 6-0.
• In the fifth, the Vulcans stretched the lead to 8-0 when Helwich recorded an RBI single and senior right fielder
Connor Evans drew a bases-loaded walk.
• Lock Haven answered in the bottom of the inning with six runs, highlighted by a three-run homer by left fielder Zachary McElroy.
• Sophomore first baseman
Cole Fleck posted an RBI single in the sixth, 11-6.
• Junior
Beau Bigam (4-1) earned the complete-game victory after allowing six runs (all earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts over 7.0 innings (92 pitches).
• He entered the start having allowed just six earned runs over 32.0 innings this year.
GAME 2
• Cal tied its season high with 15 runs on 15 hits and seven walks.
• Fleck totaled three hits, four RBI and three runs scored, while sophomore shortstop
Brandon McClain-Banks posted four hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
• Jones and Nigut both finished with two hits, two RBI and two runs scored, while Evans registered two hits, two RBI, one run scored and two walks.
• The Bald Eagles scored four runs in the bottom of the first before the Vulcans countered with five runs in the second.
• Nigut collected a bases-loaded RBI single before Jones later delivered a two-run single with two outs and Collins followed with a two-run double, 5-4.
• Lock Haven reclaimed the lead in the second with two runs before adding three runs in the third to take a 9-5 lead.
• The Vulcans erupted for eight runs on five hits, three walks and a hit by pitch in the fourth inning.
• The initial run in the top of the fourth scored on a sacrifice fly before Fleck registered a three-run double and McClain-Banks followed with an RBI single.
• Cal later scored on a sacrifice fly before Evans capped the inning with a two-run single with two outs.
• In the fifth, the Vulcans added a pair of insurance runs on an RBI double by Fleck and RBI single by McClain-Banks, 15-9.
• Sophomore
Ben Barr (1-0) earned the victory after scattering two hits and totaling a career-high five strikeouts in 3.2 innings of scoreless relief.
NEXT
• The Vulcans continue the series against the Bald Eagles tomorrow, Saturday, March 28, with a doubleheader at EQT Park in Washington, Pennsylvania, at 1 p.m.
