CALIFORNIA (April 2) – The No. 22 Vulcans earned a 10-2 victory over Mercyhurst in Game 1 of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West doubleheader at Lilley Field on Thursday afternoon before Game 2 was suspended prior to the start of the bottom of the third inning.

With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 14-5 overall and 8-1 in PSAC play. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst falls to 6-12 overall behind an 0-3 league mark.

After the Lakers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Vulcans cut the lead in half on an RBI single down the right-field line from senior center fielder Shelby Heyd (Innisfil, Ontario/Nantyr Shores Secondary) in the bottom half of the first. Heyd later tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth with a leadoff solo homer to center field. Cal U then took its first lead behind an RBI single down the left-field line by sophomore right fielder Kaity Finley (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) that scored junior pinch hitter Lindsay Reicoff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley). The Vulcans stretched their lead to 6-2 on RBI singles by freshman left fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) and freshman shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland).

In the bottom of the fifth, Cal U loaded the bases on walks by Heyd and Reicoff and a single from freshman first baseman Hailey Wilson (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy). An RBI fielder's choice, a hit batsman and an RBI infield single pushed the Vulcan lead to 9-2 before sophomore catcher Megan Jahoda (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) delivered an RBI single to left field to earn the 10-2 run-rule victory.

Heyd paced the offensive attack, finishing 2-for-2 with a homer, two RBI, two runs scored and one walk. Finley went 3-for-4, drove in two runs and scored twice while batting leadoff and Price went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Junior Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) improved to 7-2 after tossing a 5.0-inning complete game. She struck out six and scattered five hits while yielding two runs (both earned). Mercyhurst starting pitcher Alexandra Puckly suffered the loss after allowing six runs (two earned) in 4.2 innings while yielding eight hits and two walks.

The Vulcans are scheduled to continue PSAC West play tomorrow, April 3, when they travel to Erie, Pennsylvania, for a doubleheader against Gannon at 2:30 p.m.