• Box Score vs. West Chester
• Box Score vs. Bloomsburg

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (April 30) – The No. 16 California University of Pennsylvania softball team advanced to the final day of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament after posting a run-rule victory over West Chester before losing to No. 6 Bloomsburg on Friday afternoon.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 34-11 overall this year with a combined 4-2 record in the PSAC Tournament. Cal U will again face Bloomsburg tomorrow, Saturday, May 1, starting at 12 p.m. For the Vulcans to win the conference title, they must defeat the Huskies twice on Saturday.

Against West Chester, Cal U claimed a 13-1 victory in five innings behind three RBI from both sophomore shortstop Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic) and sophomore third baseman Kristen McKenzie (Senneville, Quebec/St. Thomas).

The Golden Rams were retired in order to start the game before the Vulcans plated five runs on four hits, two errors and one walk. Cal U scored its first two runs of the game on a bases-loaded error and groundout before back-to-back RBI doubles from McKenzie and senior first baseman Julia Muller (Bairdford, Pa./Deer Lakes). After West Chester scored a run in the second, sophomore catcher Alyson Johnson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) expanded the lead to 7-1 with a two-run homer (seventh of the season) in the bottom of the frame.

Cal U then forced the run-rule victory with six runs on only three hits in the fourth. McKenzie collected a RBI single early in the inning before scoring on a bases-loaded wild pitch. Junior second baseman Merissa Daley (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) followed later with a RBI single before Russell belted a three-run double.

Senior Lauren Shaheen (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) earned the complete-game victory and improved to 19-4 this year after allowing one run (earned) on only four hits in 5.0 innings. The Golden Rams' Brooke Muth (16-10) suffered the loss after being roughed for seven runs (one earned) on five hits in only 1.1 innings of work.

McKenzie posted her first three-hit game of the season, finishing 3-for-3 with a double three RBI and two runs scored. Senior designated player Kayleigh Braim (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) also collected two hits in the victory.

Against Bloomsburg, Cal U suffered a 3-2 loss after scoring a run in both the fourth and fifth innings. The Huskies jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third on a solo homer by third baseman Nikki Shiko and four-straight singles.

In the fourth, Russell lined a triple before scoring on a two-out single by senior center fielder Julie Mackenzie (Mississauga, Ontario/Meadowvale). The Vulcans again cut into the deficit when McKenzie scored on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Daley.

Cal U was position to even the game in the sixth when it runners on the corners and two outs before Mueller grounded into a fielder's choice. The Vulcans were then retired in order in the top of the seventh to seal the loss.

Junior Maria Greco (Pickering, Ontario/Notre Dame Catholic) was saddled with the loss after yielding three runs (two earned) on seven hits in 6.0 innings. Bloomsburg ace Shavaun Fisher (28-4) picked up the victory after scattering seven hits and allowing two runs (one earned) with no walks in the complete game.

Mackenzie and Mueller each finished 2-for-3 and accounted for four of the team's seven hits.

The Vulcans and Huskies will play for the PSAC Championship tomorrow, starting at 12 p.m. For the Vulcans to win the league crown, they must defeat the Huskies twice.

PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
Friday, April 30
Game 1 - California (Pa.) d. West Chester, 13-1 (5 innings)
Game 2 - Bloomsburg d. West Chester, 9-1 (6 innings) - West Chester elminated
Game 3 - Bloomsburg d. California (Pa.), 3-2

Saturday, May 1
Game 4 - California (Pa.) vs. Bloomsburg - 12 p.m.
Game 5 (IF NECESSARY) - California (Pa.) vs. Bloomsburg - 2 p.m.