Pitt-Johnstown saved two of its most competitive games for the final PSAC West doubleheader of the season at California (Pa.). Despite manufacturing leads in both contests, the Mountain Cats ended up on the wrong end of 4-3 and 3-2 decisions that both lasted eight innings to close out the 2024 campaign on Friday afternoon at Wild Things Park.

The Mountain Cats finished with a 19-30 overall mark with an 8-20 PSAC West record in head coach Todd Williams' 27th and final season at the helm. At 62-years-old, Williams concluded his coaching career with a 586-604-4 record. His 586 wins are the most in program history.

After two scoreless innings in game one, Alex Ebeling singled to open the third, and Alex Glumac cracked a singled to put two on with one out. Lucas Muffie grounded into a fielder's choice but Ebeling came around to score on an errant throw and make it 1-0.

The Vulcans struck back with a single run in the third and fourth innings to go in front. The Mountain Cats drew three walks and were hit by a pitch on two occasions to take the lead back in the fifth. Ebeling and Zachary Ramach worked back-to-back walks, and Glumac was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Muffie plated Ebeling on an infield single. Ramach was punched out at home trying to take advantage of a wild pitch, but the Mountain Cats still seized a 3-2 lead when Devon Boyles followed with a walk and Justin Turcovski was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Glumac.

California tied it in the sixth and won it in the eighth on a leadoff home run by Ryan Callahan. Luke Lea was tagged with the loss in relief. Sophomore starter Ben Tomb received a no-decision after tossing 4.1 innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits.

There was no waiting for either team to strike first in game two. Glumac led off the top of the first with a double and immediately jogged home when Muffie crushed a two-run home run. But that would be the extent of the Mountain Cats' offense. They were limited to three combined hits over the next seven innings.

It was 2-1 in the sixth before the Vulcans tied it on Callahan's second solo home run of the  day. Nathan Meeks made it a second straight walk-off win when he singled with the bases loaded in the eighth off reliever Antonio Caporossi.

Sophomore starter Brandon Clifford conceded just two runs on eight hits, but was left with a no-decision. Seth Shuey was charged with the loss. Jake Kramer faced just one batter and picked up the win for the Vulcans, who wrapped up their season at 28-18 overall and an even 14-14 inside the conference.