WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 30) – In a meetings of teams tied in the divisional standings entering the final days of the regular season, the Vulcans split a doubleheader against Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action at EQT Park on Thursday afternoon, suffering a 2-1 loss in extra innings in Game 1 before claiming a 4-2 victory in Game 2.
NOTES
• California (26-20, 14-12) and Slippery Rock enter the final day of the regular season still tied for fourth place in the PSAC West standings.
• The Vulcans and The Rock have both already secured berths in next week's PSAC Tournament, which will be single-elimination throughout following the expanded field.
• Cal posted a 15-8 mark at EQT Park this season, marking the eighth-straight year with at least 15 home wins (excluding 2020 due to the pandemic).
GAME 1
• The Vulcans played their third extra-inning game of the year, all against divisional opponents and all at home.
• Junior starting pitcher
Beau Bigam took a no-decision after allowing one run (earned) on two hits and one walk in 5.1 innings (62 pitches).
• Freshman
Evan Stranko (3-2) suffered the loss after yielding one run (earned) on six hits over 2.2 innings (49 pitches).
• The Rock took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on an RBI single before a double play later in the inning stranded a runner at third.
• In the bottom of the inning, junior designated hitter
Ikon Jones reached on a double and then scored on an RBI single by senior third baseman
Conor Carney, 1-1.
• Cal threatened in the fifth when freshman shortstop
Alex Ables led off the inning with a triple before the Vulcans left runners on the corners.
• In the seventh, Slippery Rock loaded the bases with three-straight singles and one out before redshirt freshman left fielder
Chad Helwich made a diving catch and doubled off the runner at second to end the inning.
• The Rock manufactured the game-winning run in the eighth with a leadoff single, sacrifice bunt and an RBI single to center field, 2-1.
• Carney and Jones both posted a pair of hits, as Cal was limited to six total hits in the contest.
GAME 2
• Cal earned the split by holding Slippery Rock scoreless over the final six innings.
• Sophomore
Coleman Fletcher (4-2) earned the complete-game victory after allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings (100 pitches).
• Slippery Rock took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run homer by first baseman Stone Powell.
• The Vulcans responded with all four of their runs on six singles in the bottom of the second, 4-2.
• Jones scored from second on an RBI single by junior catcher
Kyle Rizzo.
• Helwich later beat out a slow grounder to the pitcher with the two outs and the bases loaded and Ables followed with a two-run single to left field.
• The Rock left the bases loaded in the third before Fletcher prevented another base runner from reaching scoring position for the remainder of the game.
• Helwich tallied a pair of hits and one RBI from the leadoff spot.
NEXT
• Cal closes out the regular season tomorrow, Friday, May 1, with a road doubleheader against Slippery Rock, starting at 1 p.m.
