• Box Score

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (April 29) – Behind a complete-game performance by redshirt sophomore Randy Sturgill (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg), the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team claimed an 8-3 win in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament against defending-conference champion No. 7 West Chester on Thursday afternoon at Point Stadium.

With the victory, the Vulcans improve to 30-16 overall this season and remain undefeated at the double-elimination tournament (2-0). Cal U has now posted 30-win seasons seven times in school history, including six times in the last seven years. The Vulcans return to action in the PSAC Tournament tomorrow, Friday, April 30, when they face the winner of Slippery Rock-West Chester at approximately 3:30 p.m. The loser of game between The Rock (26-22) and West Chester (36-11) will be eliminated.

Sturgill improved to 8-1 this year after tossing his sixth complete game of the season. The 6-1 left-hander allowed three runs (all earned) and scattered 10 hits over 9.0 innings, while walking four and striking out seven. In his two seasons with the program, Sturgill holds a career record of 12-2 with a 3.35 ERA in 110.0 innings. The eight wins this year by the Leechburg, Pa., native is tied for second-most in school history and is the most since Chris Doerschner earned eight victories in 2007.

West Chester freshman starter Fed Breidenbach (10-2) also threw a 9.0-inning, complete game in the loss. After allowing eight runs (one earned) on seven hits in the first inning, he scattered only four hits over the final eight innings.

The Vulcans jumped out to a sizeable 8-0 lead in the top of the first on seven hits, two errors and two balks. Freshman third baseman Evan King (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) opened the game with a single and advanced to third after senior right fielder Sam DiMatteo (Center, Pa./Center) and sophomore center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) each reached base when Breidenbach committed back-to-back fielding errors on sacrifice bunts. Cal U scored the first run of the game on a balk before DiMatteo scored on a sacrifice fly. Junior second baseman Aaron Ordy (Butler, Pa./Butler) and junior designated hitter Chuck Faust (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) each followed with RBI singles before junior shortstop Casey Teagarden (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) lined a two-run single through the left side. In his second at-bat of the inning, King delivered a RBI double before again scoring on a balk.

Following the eight-run inning, West Chester scored its first run in the bottom of the third on a two-out double. The Golden Rams later had a runner in scoring position in the fifth, sixth and seven innings before Sturgill escaped each inning without allowing a run. In the bottom of the seventh, Handza ended the inning with an amazing catch while jumping against the left-centerfield fence. Meanwhile, Breidenbach retired 17-straight batters before Handza finally reached base with a two-out single in the seventh.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Golden Rams cut the deficit to 8-3 and had two runners in scoring position before Sturgill registered a strikeout and popout to end the inning. Cal U appeared ready to counter with a run in the ninth before Teagarden was thrown out at home after attempting to score from second on a single with two outs.

The Golden Rams opened the ninth with a double and single, but a terrific play by King on a groundout forced both runners to stay at their bases. Sturgill then forced a foulout before inducing a popup to Ordy to finish the game.

Teagarden anchored the offense after going 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run and stolen base from the No. 9 spot in the line-up. DiMatteo and Handza each collected two hits, while King finished with two hits and two runs scored.

The Vulcans have now posted two-straight wins to open the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2004 when they won the conference title. Cal U returns to action tomorrow afternoon when it faces the winner of game between Slippery Rock-West Chester, which is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. The Vulcans have posted a combined 5-0 record against the two teams, highlighted by a four-game series sweep of The Rock.

UPCOMING PSAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, April 30
Game 9 - Slippery Rock vs. West Chester (loser eliminated) - 9:30 a.m.
Game 10 - Mercyhurst vs. IUP (loser eliminated) - 12:30 p.m.
Game 11 - Game 9 winner vs. California (Pa.) - 3:30 p.m.
Game 12 - Game 10 winner vs. Kutztown - 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 1
IF one game is needed (both Game 7 & Game 8 winners in Games 11 & 12)
Game 13 - Championship Game

IF two games are needed (IF only one of Game 7 or Game 8 winners win Games 11 or 12)
Game 13 - IF needed game - 12 p.m.
Game 14 - Championship Game - 3 p.m.

IF three games are needed (IF both Game 9 & Game 10 winners Game 11 & Game 12)
Game 13 - Rematch of Game 11 - 10 a.m.
Game 14 - Rematch of Game 12 - 1 p.m.
Game 15 - Championship Game - 4 p.m.

PREVIOUS PSAC TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Wednesday, April 28
Game 1 - California (Pa.) d. Mansfield, 6-5
Game 2 - West Chester d. Slippery Rock, 7-6
Game 3 - Kutztown d. Mercyhurst 12-5
Game 4 - IUP d. East Stroudsburg, 7-3

Thursday, April 29
Game 5 - Slippery Rock d. Mansfield, 18-9 - Mansfield eliminated
Game 6 - Mercyhurst d. East Stroudsburg, 7-2 - East Stroudsburg eliminated
Game 7 - California (Pa.) d. West Chester 8-3
Game 8 - Kuztown d. IUP, 8-3