• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

ERIE, Pa. (April 12) – Sophomore first baseman Shelby Lia (Whitby, Ontario/Donald A. Wilson) went a combined 6-for-8 with five RBI and five runs scored on Thursday afternoon, as the No. 24 Vulcans took sole possession of first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West standings by claiming a doubleheader sweep at Gannon, winning 7-0 and 11-4.

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 28-6 overall with an 8-2 mark in divisional play. Prior to the games, the Vulcans were tabbed second in the initial Atlantic Regional rankings released by the NCAA on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights fall to 23-12 this season and 6-4 in league action after being selected fourth in the regional rankings.

In Game 1, sophomore Hope Spancake (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) tossed a one-hit complete game shutout to improve to 15-2 this season. She opened the game with no hits allowed through 3.2 innings and allowed just one base runner to reach scoring position in the victory.  The reigning PSAC West Pitcher of the Week, Spancake tallied five strikeouts while registering her third complete-game shutout of the season.

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single by sophomore designated player Stephani Ellis (Vancouver, British Columbia/Prince of Wales Secondary). Cal U managed to load the bases in both the first and second innings before finally adding to its lead in the third on a two-out RBI single by Lia, 2-0.

Cal U posted three insurance runs in the sixth to stretch its lead to 5-0. The Vulcans loaded the bases with no outs before Lia scored on an error by the Golden Knights. Senior third baseman Jillian Russell (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic) then delivered an RBI single before Ellis followed with an RBI ground-out. In the top of the seventh, freshman Madison Yanek (North Lima, Ohio/South Range) reached on a pinch-hit single before Lia belted a two-run homer (fourth of the season) to give the Vulcans a 7-0 lead.

Lia paced the offensive effort, going 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, three RBI and two runs scored. Russell and sophomore second baseman Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ontario/Streetsville Secondary) each added two hits and Wideman scored twice. Ellis also recorded two RBI in the victory.

In the nightcap, Cal U scored at least one run in each of the last five innings en route to posting a 10-4 victory. Sophomore Kaitlyn Schilling (Morrisville, Pa. / Pennsbury) earned the complete-game victory after allowing four runs (all earned) on seven hits in 7.0 innings.

The Vulcans took a 2-0 lead with three hits in the third. Freshman shortstop Breanna Morris (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) opened the inning with a double and Lia reached on an infield single. After a wild pitch allowed both runners to advance into scoring position, Morris scored on an RBI ground-out before Wideman followed with an RBI single that scored Lia.

Cal U added to its lead with a pair of runs on three hits in the top of the fourth, 4-0. Ellis led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a two-out, infield single by Morris. Lia then delivered a two-run double to right field, scoring both Ellis and Morris. The Vulcans stretched their lead to 5-0 when freshman Shelby Heyd (Innisfil, Ontario/Nantyr Shores Secondary) collected a two-out RBI single in the fifth.

The Golden Knights responded in the bottom of the fifth with a three-run homer by center fielder Jaleesa Sledge to cut the deficit to 5-3. In the sixth, Cal U countered with a run when Lia scored from third after freshman center fielder Katie Natter (Baldwin, Pa./Baldwin) reached base on a two-out error. The Vulcans added four runs in the seventh after collecting four hits and benefiting from two errors. After Cal U lined into a double play with the bases loaded, Lia reached on an error that allowed Heyd to scored from second. Senior left fielder Kristen McKenzie (Senneville, Quebec/St. Thomas) then collected an RBI infield single before Wideman followed with a two-run double, 10-3. In the bottom of the seventh, Gannon added a two-out RBI single before the game ended with a fielder's choice to third base.

Lia again collected three hits in the victory, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Wideman went 3-for-5 with one double and two RBI from the leadoff spot. The trio of Ellis, Heyd and Morris each posted a pair of hits, while McKenzie recorded two RBI in the win.

The Vulcans continue divisional play tomorrow, Friday, April 13, when they host Edinboro for a doubleheader at Lilley Field on Senior Day, starting at 2:30 p.m.  Live stats of the game will be available by clicking here.