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