NUTTER FORT, West Virginia- Coming off the four game opening series with Shepherd, the Salem Tigers baseball team had a match up at home against the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans on Wednesday evening. The Tigers were looking to get back on track into the win column, but unfortunately the Vulcans would prevail for the victory by a score of 9-6.

As the game got underway, Jackson Thoma would get the start on the mound for the Tigers. The Vulcans would strike first on the board after an error by the Tigers. Through the first 4 innings, the Tigers were held scoreless. Cal still held the 1-0 through 4. Aidan McMurdo hit a Sac Fly RBI to center field where Max Atkinson would get the first score of the day for Salem. The game was knotted up at 1 as we head into the 6^th. However, in the top of the 6^th inning the Vulcans would grab the lead after a couple doubles led to 2 more runs. Fortunately, the Tigers would answer back in the bottom of the 6^thwith 2 runs of their own. Max Atkinson hit a single and Hunter Rose would score. Moments later, Joe Wintermute reached first on an error and Jacob Hurley scored. Cal still held the 4-3 lead after 6 innings.

During the 7^th inning, the Vulcans bats got going even more scoring 3 runs and taking a 8-3 lead. In the bottom of the 8^th, Joe Wintermute hit an RBI Triple where Max Atkinson and Jacob Hurley scored. The next batter was Aidan McMurdo where he hit an RBI Single scoring Joe Wintermute. Cal still held a 8-6 as we headed into the 9^th inning. Unfortunately, the Vulcans would score one more insurance run to give them a 9-6 lead. The Tigers had one last shot in the bottom of the 9^thbut couldn't complete the comeback. Cal PA ended up securing the 9-6 victory over Salem.

After the tough loss, the Tigers will look to regroup and prepare for next weeks series. That series will take place at Frank Loria Memorial Field when Walsh University visits for a March 4^th doubleheader at noon.