WILSON, N.C. (March 8) – Sophomore Tyler Bedillion (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) registered seven strikeouts over 7.0 innings pitched, as the Vulcans posted an 8-1 victory over Ohio Dominican in non-conference play at Fleming Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
 
With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania baseball team improves to 6-4 this season behind a 2-2 record in North Carolina. Meanwhile, Ohio Dominican drops to 2-10 overall after being selected the favorite in the preseason Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Eastern Division poll.
 
In his first start of the season, Bedillion earned the win (1-1) after yielding one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts over 7.0 innings pitched (91 pitches). He stranded six runners on base, including three in scoring position, on Sunday. Bedillion also induced eight fly-outs and five ground-outs, while walking only one batter. In two career appearances against ODU, he boasts a 0.69 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 13.0 innings.
 
The Vulcans scored a pair of runs in the first inning on three hits after junior right fielder Hayden Kristophel (New Castle. Pa./Shenango) laced a single up the middle to start the game. Sophomore center fielder Patrick Brogan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) then ripped a double to center field to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Senior designated hitter Corey Fogle (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) recorded an RBI on a ground-out before Brogan scored from third on a fielding error to stretch the lead to 2-0. The Panthers would strand a pair of runners on base in the bottom half of the inning, including a runner on third.
 
Cal U added to the lead in the top of the second when sophomore catcher Justin Stewart (Butler, Pa./Butler) reached base on a fielding error before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt and a fly-out. Stewart would cross the plate with two outs on a wild pitch, 3-0. In the top of the third, Brogan, Fogle and junior first baseman Bill Hitman (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) all drew walks to start the frame before redshirt freshman David Lee (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) delivered a sacrifice fly to score Brogan, 4-0. ODU escaped the inning with another fly-out to leave two runners on base.
 
Both teams went scoreless in the fourth inning before the Panthers cut into the deficit with an RBI double down the left-field line in the bottom of the fifth, 4-1. Kristophel drew a walk in the top of the sixth before advancing to third on a pair of wild pitches. With two outs, Kirstophel scored on another wild pitch to extend the lead to 5-1. Bedillion would retire the side in order in the bottom half of the frame before both teams went scoreless in the seventh.
 
The Vulcans added three insurance runs in the top of the eighth after sophomore shortstop Anthony Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) began the inning with a single through the right side. Kristophel reached on a fielder's choice before junior third baseman Louden Conte (California, Pa./California) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Brogan then drew a walk with the bases loaded before Fogle drove in a runner on a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 7-1. With two outs, sophomore second baseman Jacob McCaskey (Tarentum,Pa./Deer Lakes) recorded an RBI single to left field to scored Brogan, 8-1.
 
McCaskey finished 2-for-4 with one RBI and one stolen base, while Brogan went 1-for-3 with one RBI, three runs scored and two walks. Kristophel would reach base three times (two walks, single) and scored three times in his first start with the program.
 
Junior Richie Serignese (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) and sophomore Patrick Gumto (Allison Park, Pa./Shaler) each tossed 1.0 inning of scoreless relief with two strikeouts to seal the win. ODU freshman Alex Brill was saddled with the loss (0-2) after surrendering four runs (two earned) on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 3.0 innings pitched.
 
Cal U returns to action on Tuesday, March 10, with a nine-inning contest versus Barton (N.C.) at Fleming Stadium in North Carolina, starting at 5 p.m.