• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score

ERIE, Pa. (April 23) – The No. 8 Vulcans clinched first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West standings on Tuesday afternoon by sweeping a divisional doubleheader at Mercyhurst, winning 7-0 and 4-2.

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 28-2 overall with a perfect 12-0 record in road games. The Vulcans also hold an 11-1 record in league play with four games remaining in the regular season. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst falls to 18-25 this season with a 5-9 record in conference action.

In Game 1, freshman Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) tossed a two-hit, complete-game shutout and tied her career high with 12 strikeouts. She issued two walks over 7.0 innings (90 pitches) and allowed the Lakers to advance only two runners into scoring position. Sagl opened the game with 3.1 no-hit innings and allowed just a single in the fourth and fifth innings. Mercyhurst senior Megan Hopton (11-12) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs (two earned) on 11 hits and three walks in 7.0 innings (139 pitches).

Cal U took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-out RBI single by Sagl before scoring four unearned runs in the second, 5-0. Freshman Natalya Smarra (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) reached on an error and advanced to second on another error when freshman left fielder Erica Vallecorsa (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) reached on a fielder's choice. Junior second baseman Shelby Lia (Whitby, Ontario/Donald A. Wilson) followed with a three-run homer and Sagl later collected another two-out RBI single.

The Vulcans added to the lead in the fifth when Sagl, who reached on an error, scored on an RBI double by sophomore center fielder Shelby Heyd (Innisfil, Ontario/Nantyr Shores Secondary). In the sixth, Cal U loaded the bases and Lia scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Sagl.

Lia finished 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and two runs scored, while Sagl went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one run. Freshman first baseman Lindsay Reicoff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) also scored twice in the victory.

In Game 2, freshman Haley Bashada (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon), who was selected the PSAC West Pitcher of the Week yesterday, earned the win after allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits in 4.1 innings. Sagl recorded her third save of the year after tossing 2.2 innings of no-hit relief. Lakers sophomore Annie Truelove (6-8) was saddled with the loss after yielding four runs (all earned) on four hits and five walks in 7.0 innings.

The Vulcans broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third with a three-run double by junior right fielder Stephani Ellis (Vancouver, British Columbia/Prince of Wales Secondary). Mercyhurst threatened in the bottom of the inning with two runners on and one out before Bashada induced a pop-up and ground-out to end the third.

Lia stretched the lead to 4-0 in the fifth with a solo homer, her ninth of the year. The Lakers answered in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back doubles before scoring another run during a rundown.

In the nightcap, Cal U was limited to four hits – all by different players – and Lia scored twice.

The Vulcans return to the diamond on Friday, April 26, when they host a doubleheader against Slippery Rock at Lilley Field, starting at 2:30 p.m.