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CALIFORNIA (March 23) – Freshman right fielder Shelby Heyd (Innisfil, Ontario/Nantyr Shores Secondary) delivered a walk-off single with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh of Game 2 on Friday evening, as the No. 25 California University of Pennsylvania softball team claimed a doubleheader split with Gannon at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, falling 9-4 in extra innings before winning 2-1.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 18-4 overall after having their 10-game winning streak snapped in Game 1. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are now 14-7 this season. Both teams hold a 1-1 record in divisional action.

In the nightcap, Gannon loaded the bases in the top of the sixth on two singles and a fielder's choice before Cal U registered a force out at home for the second out. The Golden Knights then scored their only run of the game on a fielding error, which led to another runner being thrown out at home to end the inning, 1-0. The Vulcans had runners on the corners in the bottom of the sixth with two outs before the Golden Knights preserved the lead by forcing a fly-out to end the inning.

Cal U loaded the bases in the seventh on a pair of singles and a walk before sophomore designated player Stephani Ellis (Vancouver, British Columbia/Prince of Wales Secondary) lined a one-out RBI single to right field, 1-1. After a strikeout, Heyd collected the game-winning RBI single on a 1-2 count that scored freshman second baseman Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ontario/Streetsville Secondary).

Sophomore Kaitlyn Schilling (Morrisville, Pa./Pennsbury) registered the complete-game victory, yielding one run (unearned) on three hits in 7.0 innings (81 pitches). Golden Knights' starter Megan Dragon (6-5) was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits in 3.2 innings (57 pitches).

Heyd and Wideman each finished with two hits, combining for four of the team's eight hits. The Vulcans have now earned four walk-off wins this season after tallying walk-off hits by four different players.

In Game 1, Cal U rallied to tie the game in the fifth before suffering a 9-4 loss in extra innings. Freshman Madison Cashner (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on three hits and one walk in 2.1 innings of relief (33 pitches). Dragon earned the win after tossing 3.2 innings of scoreless relief (64 pitches) with seven strikeouts.

Gannon took a 1-0 lead in the first on a solo homer by second baseman Kirstie Cortazzo before Cal U countered in the third with a solo homer by freshman center fielder Katie Natter (Baldwin, Pa./Baldwin), her ninth of the season. The Golden Knights broke the tie by scoring three runs in the fifth and the Vulcans responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, 4-4. Ellis drew a bases-loaded walk and Heyd lined a two-out, two-run single through the middle.

In the top of the eighth, Gannon scored five runs behind a bases-loaded single and a grand slam by Cortazzo. Dragon then retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to earn the victory.

Natter led the offensive effort in Game 1, finishing 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two runs scored. She is now only four homers shy of tying the freshman school record set in 2009 by Alyson Johnson (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central).

Cal U is scheduled to return to action next Saturday, March 31, with a doubleheader against Mercyhurst at Lilley Field, starting at 1 p.m.

Note: The Vulcans were scheduled to play a doubleheader with Lock Haven tomorrow, Saturday, March 24; however, it has been postponed due to rain in the forecast throughout the night and morning. No make-up date has been announced.