Baseball Drops Opener 9-1 to California (Pa.)

Washington, Pa- A quick 1-0 lead in the top 1st inning seemed like a promising start for Greater Allegheny, as they traveled to take on 39th ranked, Division-II opponent, California (Pa.).  That first-inning run was all the offense GA would muster, as California (4-1) would score the next 9 runs, coasting to a 9-1 win.

  Sophomore center fielder Zak Schmidt (Moon) led off the game with a single up the middle, and later advanced to second on a wild pitch.  After two straight outs, Schmidt stole third, and would then score on a throwing error by the catcher.

  CalU countered with 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the 2nd, added 3 in the 3rd, and then 2 more in both the 6th and 7th innings.  The GA hitters were stymied all afternoon, and mustered just 4 hits. Defensivlely, they would also commit 3 errors. 

  Sophomore DH Sam Weightman (Penn Trafford) had the lone multi-hit game for GA, going 2-3 with a 1st inning double.  Sophomore first baseman Adam Wehr (Northwestern) had the other hit, when he reached on a 9th inning single.  Senior pitcher Jonathan Lutz (West Mifflin) started the game on the hill for GA, where he gave up 2 runs and struck out 1.  Lutz (0-1) would be saddled with the loss.

  Greater Allegheny falls to 0-1 with the loss, and now travels to Vero Beach, Florida for their annual Spring Training.  GA opens with a double-header against USCAA opponent Apprentice (Va.). on March 4th.