• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score
• Photo Gallery

CALIFORNIA (April 8) -- Behind four home runs in Game two, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team earned a pair of wins over IUP in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action Tuesday afternoon at Lilley Field.

The sweep improves the Vulcans 15-4 overall and a perfect 8-0 record in the PSAC West, marking the program's first 8-0 start in divisional play since 2009. Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawks fall to 7-3 in league play and 13-7 overall.

In Game 1, sophomore Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) went the distance for the Vulcans, holding IUP scoreless for the opening six innings. She limited the Crimson Hawks to two runs (both earned) on four hits and struck out a season-high 12 while throwing 113 pitches. Sagl (9-2) had tossed 33 consecutive scoreless innings before the Crimson Hawks plated a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. IUP starter Alexa Campbell (5-4) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits in 7.0 innings (77 pitches).

Neither team generated much offense in the initial four innings until the Vulcans broke through with a four-run fifth. Junior right fielder Shelby Heyd (Innisfil, Ontario/Nantyr Shores Secondary) led off with a double and was followed by a single from sophomore third baseman Natalya Smarra (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) and a walk by senior designated player Stephani Ellis (Vancouver, British Columbia/Prince of Wales Secondary) to load the bases. Sophomore Erica Vallecorsa (Latham, N.Y/Shaker) delivered a pinch-hit RBI single and senior catcher Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ontario/Streetsville Secondary) followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Vulcans a 2-0 lead. Sophomore first baseman Lindsay Reicoff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley), the next batter, then grounded the ball back to the pitcher, but an errant throw to first base allowed two more runs to score to give Cal U a 4-0 advantage.

IUP plated two runs on three hits in the seventh inning, including a pair of doubles, but Sagl struck out the side to give the Vulcans the win.

Smarra and junior shortstop Breanna Morris (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central) each collected a pair of base hits to lead the offense.

In Game 2, IUP jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning, handing Cal U its first deficit in PSAC West play this season. It would be short lived, as a Wideman RBI single followed by a Reicoff home run gave Cal U a 3-1 lead after three full innings. The Crimson Hawks responded in the fourth inning with a pair of home runs, including a three-run longball, to chase freshman starter Kaity Davis (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) and take back the lead at 5-3.

Cal U was retired in order in the bottom of the fourth inning, but rallied for four runs on a pair of home runs in the fifth to reclaim the lead at 7-5. Smarra led the inning off with an infield single and Ellis followed with a two-run shot before freshman center fielder Kaity Finley (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) drew a walk and was driven in by Reicoff's second home run of the game. The Vulcans tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning when Smarra reached on a two-out base hit and was plated when Ellis hit her second home run of the game to make the score 9-5.

Sagl, who entered the game in the fourth inning, shut IUP out and limited them to one hit in the final 3.2 innings, while striking out three batters to earn the win.

Reicoff and Ellis each connected for a pair of home runs and drove in four runs to pace the offense, while Smarra added a 2-for-2 effort with three runs scored.

Cal U returns to the diamond on Friday, April 11, when it heads to Greensburg, Pa., to face Seton Hill for a conference twin bill. The first pitch of the opening game is slated for 2:30 p.m.