• Box Score

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (May 21) – In the first game of the best-of-three series in the NCAA Super Regionals, the No. 13 California University of Pennsylvania softball team suffered a 9-0 loss in five innings to No. 6 Bloomsburg on Friday afternoon at Jan Hutchinson Field.

With the loss, the Vulcans fall to 37-13 overall this season with a 3-1 record during the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, the Huskies improve to 48-6 overall with a 9-2 combined mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and NCAA Tournaments. Cal U and Bloomsburg continue play in the NCAA Super Regionals tomorrow, Saturday, May 22, at 11 a.m. With a win, the Vulcans would force the third game of the series, which would also be played tomorrow at approximately 1:30 p.m.

After Cal U was retired in order in the top of the first, Bloomsburg scored three runs after the first six batters reached base despite collecting only two hits. Leading 1-0 with two runners in scoring position, the Huskies expanded their lead with a squeeze bunt before scoring their final run of the inning on a groundout, 3-0. The Huskies added another run in the bottom of the second before taking a 9-0 lead after scoring five runs on six hits and one error in the third.

Junior starter Maria Greco (Pickering, Ontario/Notre Dame Catholic) suffered the loss after being roughed up for four runs (three earned) on five hits in only 1.2 innings of work. Senior right-hander Lauren Shaheen (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) surrendered five runs (three earned) on six hits in 2.1 innings of relief. Bloomsburg ace Shavaun Fisher improved to 33-5 overall after scattering only two hits with no walks in 5.0 innings.

Fisher retired the first eight batters in order before senior designated player Kayleigh Braim (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) reached base on a two-out single in the third. With one out in the top of the fifth, junior right fielder Amanda Wallace (Oakmont, Pa./Penn Hills) collected a single and advanced to second after sophomore left fielder Kristen McKenzie (Senneville, Quebec/St. Thomas) reached base on an error. However, the Vulcans were unable to prevent the run-rule decision as Fisher retired the next two batters in order.

The Super Regionals features two of the top programs over the last quarter century, as two-time National Champion Cal U is making its 19th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament and Bloomsburg is appearing in its 28th-consecutive NCAA Tournament. Earlier this season, the Huskies defeated the Vulcans twice to claim the PSAC Championship.