• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

GAFFNEY, S.C. (Feb. 25) – In their first action in nearly three weeks, the No. 20 Vulcans managed a split of a doubleheader on Friday afternoon against Limestone (S.C.), falling 5-3 before posting a 10-2 victory in the nightcap at the Saints Invitational.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team moves to 3-2 this season. Meanwhile, Limestone now stands at 3-9 this year after winning its second-straight Conference Carolinas title in 2010.

In Game 2, junior shortstop Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic) registered a career-high six RBI and freshman Hope Spancake (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) earned her first career win. Spancake allowed two runs (both unearned) and scattered five hits with eight strikeouts while tossing a 7.0-inning complete game.

The Vulcans jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in top of the first when junior designated player Alyson Johnson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) belted a two-run homer. Cal U expanded the lead in the second inning when Russell collected a three-run double before it sealed the win with four runs in the sixth. The Vulcans opened the scoring in the sixth with a sacrifice fly before Russell tallied another three-run double.

Limestone countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth before Cal U added an insurance run in the seventh when senior first baseman Sarah Spiering (Upper Burrell, Pa./Burrell) posted a solo homer, 10-2.

Russell, Johnson and junior Kristen McKenzie (Senneville, Quebec/St. Thomas) each collected a pair of hits in the victory.

Saints' starter Taylor Wigmore (0-1) was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on three hits and five walks in 4.0 innings.

In Game 1, the Vulcans took 1 -0 lead in the first on a two-out, RBI single by Johnson. Limestone responded in the bottom of the third, taking the lead at 4-1 after scoring four runs on four singles and two throwing errors. McKenzie cut the deficit to 4-2 with solo homer in the fourth before the Saints answered with a run in the fifth. Spiering plated the final run of the game with a RBI double in the sixth, 5-3.

Senior Maria Greco (Pickering, Ontario/Notre Dame Catholic) suffered the loss after yielding five runs (two earned) on six hits in 6.0 innings. Limestone's Emily Wallace earned the complete-game victory, allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

In the loss, Johnson finished with two of the Vulcans' five hits.

Cal U continues play at the weekend tournament tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 26, when it faces North Greenville (S.C.) and No. 2 North Georgia, starting at 9:30 a.m.