• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

BUTLER, Pa. (April 3) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team was limited to just one run and six hits in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, falling twice to No. 30 Mercyhurst in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play at Pullman Park, 1-0 and 4-1.

With the losses, the Vulcans fall to 13-12 this season with a 3-7 mark in divisional action. Meanwhile, the Lakers improve to 19-6 overall and 5-3 in league play. Mercyhurst has won six of the 10 meetings against Cal U since joining the PSAC prior to the 2009 season.

In Game 1, starters Randy Sturgill (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg) and Eric Aschley each tossed complete games and combined to allow just seven hits, one walk and one run. Sturgill suffered the loss (5-2) after yielding just one run (earned) on four hits with six strikeouts in his fourth complete game of the season (86 pitches). Aschley improved to 3-1 after throwing a three-hit, complete-game shutout (79 pitches) with five strikeouts.

Sturgill retired the first 10 batters (five strikeouts) he faced before allowing a one-out walk in the fourth. After the Vulcans were retired in order in the bottom of the inning, the first two Lakers reached on singles in the fifth before Sturgill induced a double play and pop-up to prevent a run from scoring.

Mercyhurst manufactured the game's only run in the top of the sixth to break the scoreless tie. Center fielder Justin Urschel opened the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a fly-out, left fielder Kevin McCall delivered a two-out RBI single through the middle that scored Urschel from second.

The Vulcans only reached base four times (three singles, one fielder's choice) in the pitchers' duel and were in scoring position just once (first inning).

In the nightcap, sophomore Tyler Zimm (Fayetteville, W.Va./Oak Hill) dropped to 2-2 this season after allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits in 6.0 innings of work (81 pitches). Mercyhurst's Ben Rawding earned the complete-game victory after yielding one run on three hits with eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings (107 pitches).

After Zimm retired the Lakers in order in the top of the first, Cal U manufactured its only run of the day in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore second baseman Evan King (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) opened the inning with a single and moved over to third following a sacrifice bunt and ground-out. Junior center fielder Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) then collected a two-out, RBI infield single that plated King.

Mercyhurst responded with two runs on four singles in the second. After a RBI single by right fielder Shane Latshaw tied the game, catcher Adam Brentlinger executed a squeeze play with runners on the corners to give the Lakers a 2-1 lead. Cal U looked to even the score in both the second and third innings by having the leadoff hitter reach third base both times. The Lakers nearly added to their lead in the fourth with another squeeze play, but Zimm was able to get the runner out at the plate.

In the seventh, Mercyhurst added to its lead after the first four batters of the inning reached base safely. The Vulcans kept the deficit at 4-1 when senior right fielder Chuck Faust (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) ended the inning by throwing out a runner who was attempting to score from second on a single.

King reached base three times in the nightcap, collecting two of the three hits by Cal U.

Cal U is scheduled to conclude its series with Mercyhurst tomorrow, Monday, April 4, with a doubleheader in Erie, Pa. The first game is slated for a 1 p.m. start.