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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Rich Michalek was 3-for-3 with a double and collected three RBIs to lead The Rock to a 9-4 win over California U. of Pa. in Game 1 of Saturday's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division doubleheader at Jack Critchfield Park.

Unfortunately for Michalek and his teammates, the visiting Vulcans turned the tables on the Green and White and won a 10-3 decision in Game 2.

The split left The Rock one game off the pace in the PSAC-West standings heading into Sunday's 1 p.m. doubleheader vs. California at Consol Energy Park in Washington, Pa.

California (14-9 overall) and Shippensburg currently share the division lead with 4-2 PSAC-West records, followed by SRU at 3-3, Indiana U. of Pa. at 3-2, Lock Haven at 2-3 and Clarion at 1-5.

Shippensburg swept Clarion by 12-0 and 14-2 scores and Lock Haven pounded IUP 17-2 in other PSAC-West games played Saturday.

The Rock (13-10 overall) fell behind by a 3-0 score in the first half inning of Saturday's opening game, but roared back to score eight unanswered runs and snap a modest four-game losing streak.

Rock starting and winning pitcher Chris Squeglia allowed three runs on four hits in the first half inning of action, then slammed the door on the Vulcans. He allowed only one run on three hits in the final six innings to improve his season record to 3-2.

The Rock erased the early deficit with three runs in the bottom of the first inning and plated four runs in the third to take firm command of the proceedings. A single tally in the fifth made it 8-3 before California scored its final run of the game in the top of the sixth. SRU matched that with a tally in the bottom of the sixth to set the final margin.

Jim Eimiller and Billy Herman each had a pair of hits and Eimiller and #M.J. Parsons# each collected two RBIs to complement Michalek's Game 1 performance. Michalek and Eimiller each had a double as part of SRU's 13-hit attack.

The Rock had 10 hits in Game 2, but never recovered for a four-run California explosion in the top of the third inning.

SRU trimmed the deficit in half at 4-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, only to see the Vulcans answer with two tallies in the top of the fifth and then respond to a single SRU run in the bottom of the fifth with four runs in the top of the sixth.

Jacob Oswalt had three of The Rock's Game 2 hits, while Michalek and Matt Adams each had a pair of hits. Adams, Oswalt and #Scott Hugney# each collected an RBI.

Rock starting and losing pitcher Rich Hocanson (3-1) was roughed up for six earned runs on 10 hits in five innings, during which time he struck out five and walked two.

Justin Thomas allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits, struck out two and walked two in one and two-thirds innings before Jim Hughes limited California to one hit in the final one and one-third innings.

Following Sunday's twinbill vs. California, The Rock will prepare for seven games in the span of five days. The string starts Tuesday with a nin-inning single game at Seton Hill and includes a home doubleheader Tuesday vs. Mansfield and a road twinbill Friday vs. Lock Haven before it concludes with a home doubleheader next Saturday vs. LHU.