May 5, 2002 By The 1 min read

California University of Pa. surprised everyone last year when it reached the PSAC baseball championships, where it fell short of winning the title. The pressure was on the Vulcans to repeat that feat this season, and they came through with flying colors Saturday. Now they’re hoping for a different at the 2002 PSAC tournament, which will be held in Boyerstown this coming weekend.

California (25-14-1, 14-3-1) earned their return trip by sweeping Clarion, 5-4 and 7-0.

California held a 5-1 lead behind winning pitcher Ryan Balan heading into the seventh inning of the first game, but needed help from Connellsville graduate Nick Damico to head off a three-run Clarion rally. It was Damico’s third save of the season. Balan kept his record perfect at 7-0.

Jim Booth tripled for Cal, while Wayne Loyer, Balan and Bryan Hartung each doubled.

Lee Pertersavage went 3-for-4 with two RBIs as the Vulcans rolled to victory in the second game behind Bobby Saddler’s six-hitter.

Saddler improved to 6-1.

Bernie Smith had two hits and an RBI for Cal.

California scored two runs in the first, second and fourth innings before tacking on one insurance tally in the seventh.