• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

CALIFORNIA (April 13) – The Vulcans clinched at least a share of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West title on Tuesday afternoon after extending their win streak to 15 games following 7-0 and 6-3 wins against Mercyhurst at Lilly Field.

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 26-9 overall and 11-1 in league play. The Vulcans have now at least a share of 13 PSAC West titles since 1994. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst falls to 19-21 overall this season and 5-7 in divisional action.

Sophomore catcher Alyson Johnson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) belted a pair of homers in the 7-0 victory in Game 1, while junior third baseman Danielle Easton (Hanover, Pa./South Western) delivered a go-ahead, two-run single in the bottom of the sixth in the nightcap.

Senior Lauren Shaheen (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) stretched her scoreless streak to 28.0 innings on Tuesday to improve her record to 15-3 this season. She limited the Lakers to only one hit in 6.1 innings of work and recorded seven strikeouts with no walks.

The Vulcans took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Johnson belted a two-run longball. Cal U added to its lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Senior first baseman Julia Mueller (Bairdford, Pa./Deer Lakes) collected a RBI single in the fourth and Johnson hit a solo homer in the fifth (fifth of the season; 18th of her career).

Cal U posted three insurance runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Junior Merissa Daley (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) started the rally with a two-out single before scoring on a double by Easton. Sophomore shortstop Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic) then followed with a two-run homer.

Johnson went 2-for-3 with a pair of homers, three RBI and two runs scored and Easton also scored two runs.

Mercyhurst's Kristi Janoske (10-13) suffered the loss in Game 1 after being roughed up for seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks.

In the nightcap, the Vulcans rallied from a 3-2 deficit with a four-run sixth inning to post a 6-3 victory. Junior Maria Greco (Pickering, Ontario/Notre Dame Catholic) earned the win after allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits with one walk and eight strikeouts.

After scoring the game's first run in the second inning, the Lakers added to their lead with back-to-back solo homers in the fourth to stretch their lead to 3-0. The Vulcans answered with a pair of two-out RBI singles in the bottom of the inning by senior designated player Kayleigh Braim (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) and Easton.

Braim and Daley started the sixth with back-to-back singles before scoring on a two-run single by Easton. Russell followed with a two-run homer, her 11th of the season, to give the Vulcans a 6-3 lead. In the top of the seventh, Greco registered a pair of strikeouts en route to posting her ninth complete game of the season.

Easton was one of five Cal U players to collect a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBI and one run. Braim went 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored, while Daley was 2-for-3 with one run. Johnson and junior right fielder Amanda Wallace (Oakmont, Pa./Penn Hills) each finished with two hits.

Lakers' reliever Megan Hopton was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on three hits while failing to record an out while in the circle. Starter Amanda Norman took a no-decision after yielding three runs (all earned) on nine hits and four walks.

The Vulcans return to action on Friday, April 16, when they host Slippery Rock on Senior Day. The doubleheader at Lilly Field is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start. Weather permitting the twinbill will be available on-line live via B2 Networks.