• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

INDIANA, Pa. (March 28) – The No. 15 California University of Pennsylvania softball team extended its win streak to seven games with a doubleheader sweep against rival Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday at Podbielski Field, 5-0 and 5-3.

The victories improve the Vulcans to 22-2 overall, while the Crimson Hawks fall to 13-9 overall. The game doesn't count toward divisional standings, as IUP, along with former Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West rivals Clarion University and Lock Haven University, were realigned to the newly created PSAC Central Division due to the expansion of the conference.

Leading the offense for Cal U was second baseman Julie Mackenzie (Mississauga, Ontario/Meadowvale) and first baseman Julia Mueller (Bairdford, Pa./Deer Lakes), who both collected four hits in the twinbill. Mueller and freshman shortstop Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic) each added two RBI, highlighted by a two-run blast by Russell in the first game.

In Game 1, sophomore Maria Greco (Pickering, Ontario/Notre Dame Catholic) scattered four hits and struck out nine in pitching her third complete-game shutout of the year. Now 8-1, the right-hander issued only one walk and allowed only four base runners to advance into scoring position.

The Vulcans broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth when Russell blasted a two-run homer to left field, 2-0. In the next inning, Cal U added a pair of insurance runs on a sacrifice fly and RBI single by senior third baseman Heather Bihler (Eighty Four, Pa./Trinity). The Vulcans closed out the scoring in the seventh inning with a RBI single by Mueller that scored Russell from second base.

Mueller and Mackenzie each collected multi-hit games in the opener, while Russell posted two RBI and two runs scored.

In the nightcap, Cal U held off a late-game rally by IUP to claim a 5-3 win and the doubleheader sweep. Junior Lauren Shaheen (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) started the game and earned the win (7-1) after allowing one run (unearned) on one hit and two walks in 4.1 innings. Classmate Sonia Petrosoniak (Mississauga, Ontario/Clarkson) registered the save after working 1.2 innings of scoreless relief to close out game.

The Vulcans held a 2-0 lead after three innings behind a pair of RBI hits by freshman designated player Alyson Johnson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) before the Crimson Hawks cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fifth.

Cal U responded with two runs in the top of the sixth when sophomore catcher Danielle Easton (Hanover, Pa./South Western) scored on an error and freshman Katie Burke (Kitchener, Ontario/St. Louis) delivered a two-out RBI single. Again, IUP countered with a pair of runs in the sixth to cut the lead to 4-3. Cal U sealed the game in the seventh when Mueller lined a RBI triple to left field.

Mackenzie, Johnson, Easton and Mueller each posted multi-hit games in the nightcap.

The Vulcans return to action on Monday, March 30, when they host three-time defending PSAC champion and No. 9 Lock Haven at Lilly Field for a doubleheader between two Top 25 teams. The first game is slated for a 2:30 p.m. start.

Notes:
The IUP coaching staff is comprised of two former Vulcan standouts in Ali Ferrari and Megan Timpf … Cal U has split its first two meetings against nationally-ranked opponents this season