WASHINGTON, Pa. — IUP baseball settled for a split against California (Pa.) on Saturday at EQT Park, dropping the opener 2-1 before storming back for an 11-6 win in game two behind a massive 10-run third inning.

The split moved the Crimson Hawks to 27-18 overall and 14-10 in PSAC West play, keeping them firmly in the conference race as the regular season winds down.

Game one belonged to the Vulcans, who scratched across two runs in the fourth inning and leaned on strong pitching the rest of the way. IUP was held to one run and could not find the timely hit needed to break through.

California starter Nathan Holmes controlled the opener, working six strong innings and keeping the Crimson Hawks off balance throughout the afternoon.

IUP wasted little time responding in the second game.

After two scoreless innings, the Crimson Hawks erupted for 10 runs in the third, sending the lineup around and taking complete control of the game. The offensive explosion gave IUP all the support it needed the rest of the way.

Anthony Diod helped ignite the offense early, while the middle of the order continued to apply pressure throughout the inning. IUP added one more run in the sixth to seal the 11-6 victory.

Brandon May got the start on the mound in game two, while Nathan Porath helped shut the door late as the Crimson Hawks secured the split.

California's lone bright spot in the nightcap came from Colin Patterson, who hit a solo home run and finished 1 for 3 with one RBI.

With the split, IUP takes sole possession of the no. 3 spot in the PSAC West going into the final week of the regular season.