Washington, Pa- If today's season opener is any indication of how 2013 will go for the Greater Allegheny (1-0) baseball team, then head coach Jim Chester will have a lot to look forward to, as GA defeated NCAA Division II opponent, California (PA), 8-5. 

  A scoreless first, followed by a pair of runs in the CALU second, put Greater Allegheny in an early hole.  Back up and looking to strike in the top of the third, senior outfielder Mike Visloski (McDonald, PA/West Allegheny) drew a one-out walk, before advancing to second on a fielder's choice.  Junior designated hitter Sam Weightman (Harrison City, PA/Penn-Trafford) followed, and belted an RBI double to left center.  Junior first baseman Adam Wehr (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) reached on a walk, and later scored, when freshman third baseman Victor Monroig (Vega Baja, PR/Juan Quirindongo) lined a two-run double into the left field corner. Greater Allegheny added three more in their explosive inning, aided by two singles, two walks, and a California wild pitch.  The home team countered with three runs of their own in the bottom of an exciting third, setting the score at 6-5 in GA's favor.

Both teams went quietly in the fourth, but Greater Allegheny tacked on two more in the fifth, by way of a two-RBI single from sophomore outfielder Oliver Girman (Monroeville, PA/Serra Catholic), increasing their lead to 8-5.  Four members of the GA relief effort shut down the California bats for the remaining innings, with freshman pitcher Zach Krivda (McKeesport, PA/McKeesport) earning the win.

Girman went 2-5 on the afternoon with three RBI's, while also pitching two scoreless innings in relief.  Weightman finished with two hits and an RBI, with Monroig knocking in two runs on his third inning double.

Following their season opening triumph, Greater Allegheny is set to embark on its annual spring training trip to Vero Beach, Florida.  Their next game is set for March 3 against Clark State CC.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 PM.