Skip To Main Content

California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

California University of Pennsylvania Athletics, go to homepage

Schedule

Events

Schedule
All Events
heyd swin at lilley
Ryno Production

Softball Matthew Kifer, Sports Information Director

Cal U sweeps doubleheader with West Liberty

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Photo Gallery

CALIFORNIA (March 21) – Sophomores Kaitlyn Schilling (Morrisville, Pa./Pennsbury) and Hope Spancake (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) combined to allow only one run on Wednesday afternoon, as the No. 25 California University of Pennsylvania softball team swept its home-opening doubleheader against West Liberty at Lilley Field, winning 5-1 and 4-0.

With the victories, the Vulcans improve to 17-3 overall and extend their winning streak to 10 games. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers fall to 5-18 this season.

In Game 1, Spancake (9-1) won her ninth-consecutive start after limiting West Liberty to one run (earned) on two hits in 7.0 innings (73 pitches). She registered eight strikeouts with no walks while tossing 6.0 no-hit innings to start the game. Spancake has now tossed 36.1 consecutive innings without issuing a walk and has only allowed eight walks compared to 62 strikeouts this year.

Cal U took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when sophomore first baseman Shelby Lia (Whitby, Ontario/Donald A. Wilson) scored from first on an RBI single by freshman shortstop Breanna Morris (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central). The Vulcans manufactured a pair of runs in the fifth on three hits to extend their lead to 3-0. Senior third baseman Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic) opened the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Senior catcher Alyson Johnson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) followed with an RBI double to left-center field before freshman right fielder Shelby Heyd (Innisfil, Ontario/Nantyr Shores Secondary) delivered an RBI single.

In the sixth, Cal U added a pair of insurance runs after collecting three-straight singles. With runners on the corners, freshman center fielder Katie Natter (Baldwin, Pa./Baldwin)  lined an RBI single down the left field line. Russell followed with a single to left field and moved to second on a fielding error that allowed another run to score. The Hilltoppers avoided the no-hitter with a leadoff double in the top of the seventh before scoring their only run of the game on a sacrifice fly.

Every starter for the Vulcans collected at least one hit with Russell going 2-for-2 with one run scored.

In the nightcap against West Liberty, Schilling tossed a six-hit, complete-game shutout to improve to 7-2 this season. She posted no walks and three strikeouts in 7.0 innings (83 pitches) on Wednesday.

Cal U took a 2-0 lead in the first  behind a sacrifice fly by Russell and a two-out RBI single by Johnson. The Vulcans added to their lead in the second when Natter lined an RBI single that scored senior left fielder Kristen McKenzie (Senneville, Quebec/St. Thomas) after she reached on a double.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Vulcans posted an insurance run with an RBI single by Heyd to right-center field, 4-0.

Heyd and Natter each collected a pair of hits in the victory.

Cal U returns to action on Friday, March 23, when it opens Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play with a home doubleheader against Gannon at 2:30 p.m. Live stats of the game will be available by clicking here.

Print Friendly Version