CALIFORNIA, Pa. — Pitching to 16 or 17-year-old hitters compared to 20 or 21-year-old hitters?

No big deal.

At least, not in Mick Fennell’s eyes.

Through four mound appearances this spring, the Butler graduate and California (Pa.) University freshman right-hander has accumulated three wins, a save and a staff-leading 0.76 earned run average for the Vulcans baseball team.

Fennell’s ERA is second-lowest in the 16-team Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

His last start was a complete-game 3-1 victory over Mercyhurst. Fennell allowed one unearned run on five hits while throwing only 83 pitches.

“We knew he had the ability to pitch like this when we recruited him, absolutely,” Vulcans coach Mike Conte said. “But it’s always had to gage what kind of success a high school kid is going to have when he makes that first transition to college ball.

“Mick’s been able to handle what we’ve given to him so far.”

Fennell has thrown 23.2 innings, striking out 12, walking only three and limiting opposing batters to a .231 average.

“I had a lot more strikeouts in high school, but at this level, you learn to trust your fielders as much as you trust yourself,” Fennell said.

Conte said Fennell’s control has led to his consistent success on the mound. He has allowed no more than two runs in any of his three starts.

Fennell’s one save was a four-inning performance against Charleston (W.Va.) in a 5-3 victory.

“He throws a great deal of strikes and always gets ahead in the count,” the coach said.

Fennell said he gained self-confidence through his performance in the fall. The Vulcans hold an inter-squad tournament and Fennell’s team won it. He was named Co-MVP of the event.

“That made me believe I belong here,” he said.

Conte believes Fennell belongs on the field, even when he’s not pitching. Fennell has started 12 games in left field already this year.

Batting seventh in the lineup, he’s hitting .263 with a double and six stolen bases. Fennell has struck out only three times in 38 at bats.

“Mick gives the team a boost of energy when he’s in there,” Conte said. “He adds speed to our lineup as well.”

Fennell began the season batting in the second spot before being dropped to seventh.

“The coach wanted me to see more fastballs,” Fennell said. “When you’re hitting lower in the lineup, pitchers tend to throw you more fastballs.

“I know I can hit for a much higher average, get on base more often. I try to approach each at bat the same way as I always have. Just settle in and keep a clear head.”

California is off to a 16-4 start overall this spring, including 3-1 in the PSAC West.

Fennell believes the team can keep it up.

“This team has a lot of depth in pitching and there’s not a weak spot in the lineup,” he said.

And he’s helping the Vulcans on both counts.

“We’ve had a number of pitchers here also play a position in the field,” Conte said. “As far as a starting pitcher also playing regularly at another spot ... We’ve only had a few of them.”

Fennell is majoring in sports management.

Two other Butler graduates — outfielder Alex Ziegler and first baseman Bobby Swartwout — are on the California roster. Ziegler is red-shirting and Swartwout has had one at bat this season.