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CALIFORNIA (April 7) – Behind a walk-off single by sophomore left fielder Kristen McKenzie (Senneville, Quebec/St. Thomas) in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 1, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team claimed a pair of 1-0 victories against No. 13 IUP on Wednesday at Lilly Field.

With the wins, the Vulcans extended their win streak to nine games and improved to 20-9 overall this season. Meanwhile, IUP has lost four-straight games to fall to 24-7 this year.

Senior pitcher Lauren Shaheen (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield), who was selected the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Pitcher of the Week on Monday, tossed her fourth complete-game shutout of the season in Game 1. She recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts, scattered four hits and issued only one walk in win.

With Game 1 still scoreless after nine innings, the international tiebreaker went into effect. After the Crimson Hawks failed to score in the top of the 10th, McKenzie delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the inning. Center fielder Julie Mackenzie (Mississauga, Ontario/Meadowvale) started the frame on second base due to international tiebreak rules and advanced to third on the first sacrifice bunt of the season by junior first baseman Amanda Wallace (Oakmont, Pa./Penn Hills). McKenzie then followed with a RBI single to the left field wall.

Prior to the extra frames, Cal U managed only one runner in scoring position. In the second inning, Mackenzie opened the game with a double – the game's only extra-base hit – and advanced to third on a wild pitch. However, IUP hurler Erin Hollloway retired the side with three-consecutive strikeouts.

Holloway was saddled with the loss in Game 1, yielding only one run (unearned) on five hits and registering 14 strikeouts.

Junior Maria Greco (Pickering, Ontario/Notre Dame Catholic) and Holloway battled to another 1-0 pitcher's duel in the nightcap. Greco (6-5) tossed a three-hit, complete-game shutout and collected nine strikeouts, while Holloway allowed one run (unearned), scattered three hits and fanned four.

The Vulcans plated the game's only run in the second inning on an error. Mackenzie reached base on a fielder's choice and moved into scoring position after stealing second. Wallace followed with a grounder to the IUP first baseman, who had trouble fielding the ball, which resulted in Mackenzie scoring from second and Wallace reaching base safely.

The Crimson Hawks threatened to tie the game in third when their leadoff hitter reaching base on a dropped third strike. The runner moved into scoring position on a groundout before Greco ended the inning by recording a strikeout.

Cal U looked to add an insurance run in the sixth when sophomore shortstop Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic) opened the inning with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Russell was then thrown out at home to end the inning when attempting to score on a flyout to right field by Mackenzie.

The Vulcans return to action with a four-game weekend road trip, beginning Saturday, April 10, with a doubleheader at Shippensburg. The twinbill is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start and live stats will be available for the games by click here.