• Box Score

BUTLER, Pa. (May 2) – After overcoming a four-run deficit and tying the game, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team suffered a 5-4 loss against Shippensburg at Pullman Park on Wednesday evening in the first day of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament.

With the loss, the Vulcans fall to 26-23 overall and move to the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament. Cal U will face Millersville in an elimination game tomorrow, Thursday, May 3, at 12:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders improve to 31-19 this season and will play defending-PSAC Champion Mercyhurst tomorrow.

Junior Kyle Petty (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) was saddled the loss after allowing one run (earned) on three hits in 3.2 innings of work. Petty and senior Ryan Hulme (Aliquippa, Pa./Center) combined to yield just one run in 5.1 innings of relief. Junior starter Kyle Thomas (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) lasted just 2.2 innings after surrendering four runs (all earned) on six hits and one walk.

Shippensburg junior Cam Richardson earned the victory after tossing 2.1 innings of scoreless relief and sophomore Austin Bartley recorded a 2.0-inning save on Wednesday.

In the bottom of the first, Shippensburg had runners on second and third with one out before Thomas registered back-to-back strikeouts to prevent a run from scoring. The Red Raiders then took a 1-0 lead in the second on a sacrifice fly after opening the inning with a triple. Shippensburg added to its lead in the third, manufacturing a run on two singles and a sacrifice bunt before a two-run homer by right fielder Simon Beloff stretched the lead to 4-0.

The Vulcans had their first base runner of the game in the fourth when sophomore Ben Carson (Coal Center, Pa./California) opened the inning with a walk. Carson advanced to second on sacrifice bunt before Petty, who started the game at third base, followed with a single. With runners on the corners, senior catcher JB Sapienza (La Plata, Md./La Plata) lined an RBI single to right field.

In the top of the fifth, Cal U tied the game at 4-4 after scoring three runs on five hits – all singles. Sophomore designated hitter Chuck Gasti (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) and junior first baseman AJ Robinson (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) started the inning with back-to-back singles before a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. After a pop-up, freshman shortstop Matt Peters (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) and Petty delivered two-out RBI singles to cut the deficit to 4-3. Following a pitching change by Shippensburg, Sapienza collected a game-tying RBI single through the right side, 4-4.

After working 1.2 innings of relief, Hulme was forced from the game in the fifth after being hit with a comebacker. Petty then entered the game as a pitcher and kept the game tied after the Raiders had runners on first and second with one out.

Shippensburg loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with no outs following a single, walk and hit by pitch. After a fielder's choice kept the score tied, the Raiders took the lead with a sacrifice fly before the inning ended with a ground-out.

In the top of the eighth, the Vulcans threatened with runners on first and second before a fly-out and double play ended the inning. Trailing by one, Cal U managed a two-out walk before Shippensburg sealed the win with a strikeout.

Sapienza posted his second three-hit game of the season, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBI while hitting cleanup. Petty added a pair of hits and collected an RBI in the loss.

The Vulcans return to action at the PSAC Tournament tomorrow when they play Millersville at 12:30 p.m. Earlier this season, Cal U split a doubleheader with Millersville at CONSOL Energy Park.

2012 PSAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, May 2
Game 1 - (E3) Kutztown d. (W2) Gannon, 5-4
Game 2 - (E1) West Chester d. (W4) Slippery Rock, 4-1
Game 3 - (E2) Shippensburg d. (W3) California, 5-4
Game 4 - (W1) Mercyhurst d. (E4) Millersville, 5-1
 
Thursday, May 3
Game 5 - (W2) Gannon vs. (W4) Slippery Rock, 9:30 a.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 6 - (W3) California (Pa.) vs. (E4) Millersville, 12:30 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 7 - (E3) Kutztown vs. (E1) West Chester, 3:30 p.m. 
Game 8 - (E2) Shippensburg vs. (W1) Mercyhurst, 6:30 p.m.
 
Friday, May 4
Game 9 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 9:30 a.m. (loser eliminated, winner switches brackets)
Game 10 - Game 6 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 6:30 p.m. (loser eliminated, winner switches brackets)
Game 11 - Game 9 winner vs. Game 8 Winner, 3:30 p.m. (loser eliminated if Game 9 winner loses, or rematch if Game 8 winner loses)
Game 12 - Game 10 winner vs. Game 7 Winner, 6:30 p.m. (loser eliminated if Game 10 winner loses, or rematch if Game 7 winner loses)
 
Saturday, May 5
If only one game needed
Game 13 - Championship Game, 1 p.m.
If two games needed
Game 13 - Game 11/12 Winner vs. Game 11/12 loser, 12 p.m.
Game 14 - Championship Game, 3 p.m.
If three games needed
Game 13 - Game 11/12 winner vs. Game 11/12 loser, 10 a.m.
Game 14 - Game 11/12 winner vs. Game 11/12 loser, 1 p.m.
Game 15 - Championship Game, 4 p.m.