MARS HILL, N.C. (March 1) – Redshirt sophomore Randy Sturgill (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg) scattered five hits in a complete-game victory on Monday afternoon as the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team took a split of a doubleheader at Mars Hill, winning 5-1 before dropping the nightcap 19-6.
Playing their first games in three weeks, the Vulcans improved to 1-3 this season while the Lions moved to 8-5 this year following the split.
In Game 1, Sturgill threw the third complete game of his career and first since April 2008 after missing last season due to injury. Against Mars Hill, he scattered five hits (three extra-base hits) and allowed only one unearned run in 7.0 innings with no walks and four strikeouts.
Junior second baseman Aaron Ordy (Butler, Pa./Butler) collected three of the six hits for the Vulcans in the win, as he went 3-for-4 with three RBI, one run and two steals. Sophomore center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) collected two hits, while senior right fielder Sam DiMatteo (Center, Pa./Center) drew two walks and stole two bases.
In the nightcap, the Vulcans trailed 6-3 after three innings before the Lions scored six runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to seal the win. For the game, Mars Hill roughed up five different Cal U pitchers for 19 runs and 16 hits.
Freshman third baseman Evan King (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI. DiMatteo and junior catcher Eric Berringer (Damascus, Md./Damascus) each collected a RBI in the loss.
Senior pitcher Ryan Lavrusky (Temple Terrace, Fla./King) suffered the loss in his first appearance of the season after allowing six runs (all earned) on eight hits in 2.0-plus innings.
The Vulcans return to action at the Savannah Invitational, beginning with a three-game series against West Liberty on Saturday, March 6. Cal U will play 10 games in Savannah, Ga., from March 6-13, ending with its four-game Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West series against Slippery Rock.