WASHINGTON, Pa. – The West Liberty University baseball team cooled off a regionally-ranked California (Pa.) offense here Wednesday afternoon but couldn't get its own offense untracked, falling by a 2-0 count in a scheduled 9-inning game at Wild Things Park.
    The Hilltoppers got off to a fast start when leadoff hitter Ryan Talbert doubled into the left field corner on the third pitch of the game but was stranded on second when Vulcan starter Jacob McCaskey worked out of the jam with two strikeouts and an infield grounder.
    West Liberty managed only one more hit off McCaskey and a pair of California relievers the rest of the way, a Kayne McGee single in the top of the seventh.
    Coming after Ty Helmke had been hit by a 3-2 pitch to lead off the inning, McGee's single put runners on first and second with nobody out. The Hilltoppers tried to sacrifice both runners up with a bunt down the third base line but a quick throw to second got the force-out, leaving the tying runs on first and third with one out.
    McCaskey finished off his strong 7-inning stint with a popup and strikeout to keep the Black and Gold off the board and earn the win.
    Ian Brady, Logan Grimm, Justin Pennybacker and Justin Studd strung together four solid 2-inning outings on the mound for WLU, scattering 9 hits to go along with 6 strikeouts and one walk.
    Weather permitting, the Hilltoppers will open their Mountain East Conference schedule at home this weekend. Glenville State is set for a Saturday doubleheader at Kovalick Field with Concord hitting the West Liberty diamond on Sunday. Both twinbills are set for a 1 p.m. start.
  West Liberty               000 000 000 – 0  2  0
California (Pa.)          011 000 00x – 2  9  0
     WLU: Brady lp (2SO, 0W), Grimm (3) (2SO, 0W), Pennybacker (5) (0SO, 0W), Studd (7) (2SO, 1W) and Z.Hawkins. Talbert D
     CUP: McCaskey wp (6SO, 2W), Lincavage (8) (0SO, 0W), Ruiz (9) (2SO, 1W) and Stewart. Stewart D, S; Venezia 2S; Conte S, rbi