• Box Score vs. Charleston
• Box Score vs. Fairmont State

SALEM, Va. (March 17) – Behind a pair of homers and eight RBI from senior third baseman Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic), the Vulcans extended their winning streak to seven games with victories over Charleston (W.Va.) and Fairmont State on Saturday at the Salem Invitational.

With the wins, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 14-3 overall. After posting a 7-2 record at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida, the Vulcans have won their first four games at the Salem Invitational.

The Vulcans opened Saturday by collecting 11 hits in a 6-1 win over Charleston (W.Va.). Russell went 2-for-4 with one double and a three-run homer, while sophomore second baseman Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ontario/Streetsville Secondary) tallied three singles.

After back-to-back singles by Wideman and freshman center fielder Katie Natter (Baldwin, Pa./Baldwin) to start the game, Cal U took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a three-run homer by Russell. In the sixth inning, the Vulcans added to their lead with three runs on four hits, 6-0. Senior catcher Alyson Johnson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) started the inning with a double and advanced to third on a single by sophomore first baseman Shelby Lia (Whitby, Ontario/Donald A. Wilson). After a strikeout, freshman right fielder Shelby Heyd (Innisfil, Ontario/Nantyr Shores Secondary) collected an RBI single before freshman Madison Yanek (North Lima, Ohio/South Range) delivered a two-run single. Charleston avoided the shutout by scoring one run in the bottom of the sixth with a bases-loaded single, 6-1.

Sophomore Hope Spancake (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) tossed her eighth complete game of the year, yielding one run (earned) on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts. UC freshman Emily Fultz suffered the loss after allowing six runs (all earned) on 11 hits in 5.1 innings.

In the nightcap, Cal U established season highs with 15 runs and 17 hits in a 15-7 victory over Fairmont State. Six different Vulcans posted multi-hit games in the win with Russell finishing 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, five RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore left fielder Stephani Ellis (Vancouver, British Columbia/Prince of Wales Secondary) was only a homer shy of the cycle and collected two RBI and three runs, while freshman shortstop Breanna Morris (Waynesburg, Pa. Waynesburg Central) recorded three singles and scored twice. Johnson, Natter and Wideman all tallied two hits with Natter posting three RBI and three runs scored.

With Fairmont State leading 4-0, Cal U scored three runs in the top of the fourth with back-to-back RBI hits by Ellis and Johnson.  The Fighting Falcons answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-3 lead. The Vulcans then tied the game at 7-7 in the fourth, scoring four runs on five hits. After Wideman led off the inning with a single, Natter lined an RBI double before scoring on an RBI single by Russell. Johnson then collected an RBI triple before Heyd delivered a game-tying, two-out RBI double.

Cal U took its first lead of the game in the top of the sixth after manufacturing a pair of runs on two singles. Morris opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a passed ball that allowed Morris to advance to third, Natter drew a walk and stole second. With two runners in scoring position, Russell delivered a two-run single to give the Vulcans the lead, 9-7.

The Vulcans sealed the win by scoring six runs with two outs in the seventh, 15-7. With two runners on, Wideman collected an RBI single before Natter followed with a two-run single. Russell then belted a two-run homer, third of the season, and Johnson added an RBI single later in the inning.

Freshman Madison Cashner (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) earned her first career win after allowing three runs (all unearned) on four hits and four walks in 5.0 innings of relief. Fairmont State reliever Nikki Nuzum was saddled with the loss after allowing 11 runs (all earned) on 11 hits in 3.1 innings.

Cal U closes play at the Salem Invitational tomorrow, Sunday, March 18, when it faces Shepherd at 9 a.m.