• Box Score vs. Lock Haven
• Box Score vs. West Chester

CALIFORNIA (April 21) – The No. 20 California University of Pennsylvania softball team was eliminated from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament after suffering losses to Lock Haven and West Chester on Thursday afternoon at Lilly Field.

With the losses, the Vulcans fall to 28-12 this season after earning the first seed from the PSAC West. Meanwhile, West Chester – the third seed from the PSAC East – posted a pair of wins on Thursday to improve to 32-17 overall and Lock Haven – the second seed from the PSAC Central – is now 25-11. The Golden Rams and Bald Eagles will play tomorrow, Friday, April 22, for the right to advance to the second weekend of the PSAC Tournament.

Against Lock Haven, freshman starter Hope Spancake (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) suffered just her third loss in 22 appearances this season (14-3). She yielded seven runs (all earned) on eight hits and two walks in 6.2 innings (101 pitches). Spancake worked the first 3.1 innings before leaving the game with two runners on base and reentered later in the fourth.

The Bald Eagles took a quick 1-0 lead with a pair of singles in the top of the first. Center fielder Brittany Favazza led off the game with a single and advanced to third before scoring on a two-out RBI single by designated player Brittany Muthard. Lock Haven added to its lead with a pair of runs in the fourth behind two singles and two walks, 3-0. With one out and runners on first and second, catcher Alicia Cacciotti collected an RBI single before left fielder Kelsey Mullins expanded the lead to 3-0 on another two-out RBI single.

Cal U answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth on three hits, but left two runners on base. Freshman catcher Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ontario/Streetsville Secondary) started the rally with a one-out single before advancing to second on a ground-out After a single by sophomore designated player Alyson Johnson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central), the Vulcans cut the deficit to 3-1 on a two-out RBI single by senior first baseman Sarah Spiering (Upper Burrell, Pa./Burrell). The Vulcans added another run in the sixth when Wideman scored on a sacrifice fly by Johnson, 4-2.

Lock Haven stretched its lead to 7-2 in the seventh after plating four runs on three hits with two outs. Shortstop Erin Clary and second baseman Bridgette Clarke tallied back-to-back doubles before pitcher Nicole Smith later belted a three-run homer (fourth of the year) down the left-field line. In the bottom of the inning, the Vulcans trimmed the deficit on a pinch-hit RBI single by redshirt freshman Randi Miller (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) and RBI fielder's choice by freshman second baseman Shelby Lia (Whitby, Ontario/Donald A. Wilson) before falling 7-4.

Bald Eagles' starter Nicole Smith (13-4) earned the win after yielding four runs (all earned) on seven hits in 6.0-plus innings (97 pitches). Sophomore Sarah Morse registered the save after allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of relief.

Senior Danielle Easton (Hanover, Pa./South Western) finished 2-for-3 with one run scored, while six other Vulcans tallied a hit in the loss.

Against West Chester, freshman Kaitlyn Schilling (Morrisville, Pa./Pennsbury) was saddled with the loss (9-6) after allowing two runs (both earned) on two hits in 0.2 inning. Spancake worked the majority of the game, tossing 6.0 innings of two-hit relief with six strikeouts.

The Golden Rams took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first with a two-run homer (11th of the season) by catcher Kate Kmiecinski. West Chester added to its lead in the second with a solo homer (third of the year) by designated player Nicole Cruts and a sacrifice fly by left fielder Erin MacNamee, 4-0.

Cal U trimmed the deficit to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth on a solo homer by Johnson, her seventh of the year. However, the Vulcans only had two base runners (one scoring position) over the next three innings, as they were eliminated from the PSAC Tournament.

Senior center fielder Merissa Daley (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair) collected two of the six hits by the Vulcans, finishing 2-for-2 with a double.

West Chester's Kim Murl (15-9) tossed a complete-game victory, allowing one run (earned) on six hits in 7.0 innings (72 pitches).

The Vulcans, who were fourth in the latest Atlantic Regional rankings, must now wait to see if they receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament with the selection show set for May 9. Cal U has made the NCAA Tournament 16 times over the last 17 seasons, advancing to the NCAA Super Regional last year.

Notes:
West Chester posted a 6-5 victory over Lock Haven in the opening game of the double-elimination tournament on Thursday … The Golden Rams allowed just four earned runs in the two games at Lilly Field … Lock Haven entered the PSAC Tournament as the seventh-ranked team in the Atlantic Region and West Chester was 10th in the latest regional rankings