Deja-Vu All Over Again as LHU Takes Another From Cal U

CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Junior centerfielder Kyle Elbin’s (Bedford, Pa./Delgado C.C.) single brought home the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh, as the Lock Haven University baseball team (9-15, 4-8 PSAC West) stole another win at Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division leader California University (Pa.) (24-11, 10-2 PSAC West) earning a split 12-8 and 7-6 today (April 16).

The Bald Eagles handed the Vulcans their first conference loss yesterday, 1-0.

Game one was a high-scoring affair, as all but one of the Bald Eagle starters recorded hits. LHU ended the scoreless tie with an RBI single from Dave Miller (Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood-Antis) in the second. Cal U would answer with three in the bottom half of the inning.

LHU matched their three in the third, getting RBI from both Miller and sophomore Travis Ruane (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville). The Vulcans ended Bald Eagle starter Pat Young’s (Allensville, Pa./Indian Valley) day with a three-run third to give them the 6-4 lead.

Cal U tacked on four more in the fourth and fifth, before the Bald Eagles plated a run in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk. In the bottom half, the Vulcans added their final two runs for a 12-5 lead.

The Bald Eagles wouldn’t go down without a fight, putting together a three run rally before their luck ran out. Derek Megargell (Orangeville, Pa./Alleghany College(Md.)) singled home a run, with two more runs scoring on a groundout and a wild pitch.

Young (0-5) suffered the loss in his 2.2 innings, while Ryan Campbell (3-2) picked up the win with a 5.2-inning effort.

Game two started with a four-run third for Cal U, ignited by a pair of doubles. LHU chipped away at the lead over the next three innings, eventually taking over in the sixth. Junior Kurt Elbin (Bedford, Pa./Delgado C.C.) capped the rally with a two-run double, giving the Bald Eagles a 6-4 lead.

California’s Jim Samolovitch knotted the game with a two-run blast in the bottom half, his second home run of the double-header, setting the stage for Kyle Elbin’s heroics.

Ruane led off with a walk, moving over to second on a sacrifice bunt. Miller followed with a single for a first-and-third opportunity. One out later, Kyle Elbin drove home Ruane for the lead.

LHU starter Blake Barbini (Pittston, Pa./Pittston Area) gave up two singles in the bottom half, but helped his own cause with a pickoff and his third strikeout to end the game.

Barbini improves to 4-1 with the complete-game effort, while Cal U starter Adam Dukate (3-1) suffered his first loss with a five-inning outing.