• Box Score vs. Lewis
• Box Score vs. Minnesota State Mankato

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (March 7) – The Vulcans took a split on Monday afternoon at the Rebel Spring Games, winning 6-0 against No. 24 Lewis (Ill.) before falling 1-0 on a walk-off single to Minnesota State-Mankato.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania team moves to 8-4 this season and 3-1 at the Rebel Spring Games.

Against Lewis (9-5), the Vulcans led 2-0 after five innings before securing the win by scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Nos. 1-4 hitters for Cal U went a combined 8-for-13 with junior shortstop Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic) collecting three RBI on a homer.

Freshman Hope Spancake (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) tossed a four-hit, complete-game shutout against the Flyers. She only issued one walk in 7.0 innings on Monday and now leads the team with four wins, 37.2 innings pitched and 28 strikeouts this season.

Cal U scored its first run in the bottom of the third on a RBI single by senior first baseman Sarah Spiering (Upper Burrell, Pa./Burrell) before expanding its lead to 2-0 on a sacrifice fly by junior left fielder Kristen McKenzie (Senneville, Quebec/St. Thomas) in the fifth.

The Vulcans then scored four runs in the sixth on a pair of homers. Freshman designated player Holly Pefferman (Allison Park, Pa./Shaler) belted her first career homer (solo) to stretch the lead to 3-0 and Russell later added a three-run home run.

In the nightcap, Cal U suffered a 1-0 loss in a pitchers' duel with Mankato (14-1). With the game still scoreless entering the bottom of the seventh, the Mavericks loaded the bases with one out before right fielder Melanie Upchurch delivered a walk-off single.

Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Schilling (Morrisville, Pa./Pennsbury) suffered the loss after allowing one earned run on seven hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. Mankato's Courtney McKelvogue tossed a four-hit, complete-game shutout with four strikeouts to earn the win on Monday.

The Vulcans best opportunity to score was in the sixth inning when they had the bases loaded before a flyout ended the rally. Cal U again threatened in the seventh by having runners on first and second with one out, however, McKelvogue retired the next two batters to end the inning. For the game, Cal U left nine runners on base including four in scoring position.

Spiering finished with two of the Vulcans' four hits, going 2-for-3 with two singles.

Cal U continues play at the Rebel Spring Games on Wednesday, March 9, when it faces Mount Olive (N.C.) and Northern Kentucky.