WASHINGTON, Pa. — The 18th-ranked Slippery Rock University baseball team got off to a rough start in PSAC West play Friday, dropping a doubleheader to California (Pa.) at Consol Energy Park.

SRU (10-6, 0-2) took a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 1, only to lose a 6-5 decision.

California (10-4, 2-0) earned a 4-0 victory in the nightcap.

Matt Adams drilled a two-run homer in the top of the seventh to give The Rock the aforementioned three-run lead in the first game.

After the host Vulcans began the bottom of the seventh with two hits, SRU's J.T. Thomas relieved starting pitcher Scott Dunn and gave up a run-scoring single and a sacrifice fly that cut the lead to 5-4.

After a walk and a strikeout, Thomas hit a batter to load the bases with two outs. Pinch-hitter and Butler graduate Aaron Ordy drilled a 2-2 pitch up the middle for a two-run single that ended the game.

Jon Squeglia silenced The Rock bats in the second game, pitching a three-hit shutout.

Grove City High graduate Billy Herman had two hits and two runs scored for The Rock in Game 1 while Slippery Rock High grad Billy Messer added two singles.

SRUand California resume their weekend series at Critchfield Park with a 1 p.m. Saturday twinbill.

SRU registered its first NCAA victory since 1991 when it defeated Edinboro, 17-6, Thursday night.The Rock dropped lacrosse from the varsity ranks to a club sport in 1991 before returning it to NCAA Division IIcompetition in 1997. Before Thursday night, SRUwas 0-34 since rejoining varsity competition.Second-year coach Emily Boosahda has seven players with college experience on a roster that includes 12 freshmen.Two of those freshmen, Amy Halls and Katie Roof, scored five goals each against Edinboro. Sophomore Sam Huebner added three goals.The Rock (1-2, 1-0) hosts No. 5 Lock Haven at 1 p.m. Saturday.