ST. MARY'S CITY, M.D. – With a dominating bullpen performance and two big offensive innings, the York College Spartan baseball squad won their first conference game of the season against the St. Mary's College Seahawks by a score of 10-7 on a blustery Friday afternoon in St. Mary's City, Maryland. 

The Spartans are now 4-1 and 1-0 in the league while the Seahawks are 0-5 and 0-2 in the CAC.

A great start in the top of the first by Seahawks pitcher Nicholas Raimondo carried over to the bottom half of the first as Brad Dioguardo led off with a single to right field. After two Spartan errors, loading the bases, Spartan pitcher Dan Gurganus (Prince Frederick, Md. / Huntingtown) walked Jared Eaker, giving the Seahawks the 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Luke Green flied out to left field, scoring Hunter Mohler from third base giving the Seahawks the early 2-0 lead as both Seahawk runs were unearned.

In the top of the second, the Spartans struck back. After back to back walks to Logan Countryman (Baltimore, Md. / Loch Raven) and Seth Brosius (Magnolia, Del. / Caesar Rodney), Collin Crowell (Stewartstown, Pa. / Kennard-Dale) singled to shortstop to load the bases. Brad Wenzel (Blandon, Pa. / Fleetwood Area) ripped a double into right field, clearing the bases, giving the Spartans a 3-2 lead. Stephen Miele (Allentown, Pa. / Salisbury) then smoked a two-run home run to right field to extend their lead to 5-2.

A Derek Pitzer (York, Pa. / Dallastown) walk and a Sean Mohollen (Rose Valley, Pa. / Strath Haven) single led to another run being scored as Michael Moore (East Berlin, Pa. / Bermudian Springs) singled to right field, scoring Pitzer giving the Spartans a 6-2 lead.

After a quiet bottom of second and top of third, the Seahawks got on the board again. Mohler led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third as Connor Goodie reached first base, advancing to second on another Spartan error. Green then stroked a single to left center, scoring Goodie and Mohler. As Green advanced to third on a bunt single by Zach Rowe, Matt Holdefer flied out to left field, scoring Green, cutting the Spartans lead to one at 6-5.

Leading off the top of the fourth, Wenzel roped a double then scored as Mohollen singled to left center, adding another run for the Spartans. To start off the bottom of the fourth, Dioguardo walked and Eaker singled to right field. Goodie then singled down the left field line, scoring Dioguardo. Spartan head coach Mike Scappa saw enough as Zach Philippi (Levittown, Pa. / Harry S. Truman) entered the game to relieve Gurganus. The Seahawks tied the game at 7-7 as Green singled to right field, scoring Eaker.

After Wenzel walked and stole second base to lead off the top of the sixth, Miele singled to right field advancing Wenzel to third. Pitzer then doubled to right field, scoring Wenzel, giving the Spartans an 8-7 lead. Mohollen then launched a two run home run to left field, accounting for the final runs of the game. Pitching dominated the final three innings as the Spartans came away with the 10-7 victory.

Although Gurganus' outing was overshadowed by Spartan errors, he threw well in 3.2 innings, giving up seven runs but just three earned, on six hits. In relief, Philippi was lights out for the Spartans in his 4.1 innings pitched. He allowed three hits and struck out four in his first victory of the season. Miele recorded his second save of the season in his one inning of action.

Raimondo struggled for the Seahawks as he allowed seven runs on eight hits in four innings pitched. Reid D'Antuono suffered his first loss of the season. He allowed three runs on four hits in two innings of work. Ben Goldsmith and A.J. Norby combined to allow one hit in the final three innings.

The Spartans added quite a few hits throughout the day. Mohollen led the Spartans with three hits and three RBI. Wenzel, Miele, Pitzer, and Moore would all add two hits in the win. Wenzel had a three RBI game while Miele added two runs for the Spartans. Countryman and Crowell each added a hit a piece.

Dioguardo and Green led the Seahawks with two hits a piece. Green tallied four RBI in the loss. Four other Seahawks added a hit against the Spartans.

The Spartans will host the University of Scranton Royals in their home opener on March 17 at Jaquet Field. First pitch is slated for 3:00 pm in what is now the Spartans 2015 home opener.

Story written by Sean Naylor – Athletic Communications Student Assistant