QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (May 1) – Behind a pair of complete games by junior Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar), the California University of Pennsylvania softball team earned two elimination-game victories in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament on Friday, claiming a 6-0 win over IUP and a 6-1 victory against Bloomsburg.

With the victories, the Vulcans improve to 32-10 overall after winning three of four games in the league tournament this weekend. Cal U will now face West Chester tomorrow, Saturday, May 2, in an elimination game at 11 a.m. The winner will then face Gannon, who has yet to lose in the double-elimination, at 1:30 p.m.

Against IUP (19-24), Sagl tossed her second-straight, complete-game shutout after scattering three hits and one walk while posting eight strikeouts over 7.0 innings (88 pitches). Sagl allowed just two base runners to reach scoring position in the shutout.

The Vulcans took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second with back-to-back, two-out RBI singles by junior second baseman Erica Vallecorsa (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) and sophomore right fielder Kaity Finley (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe). Cal U stretched the lead to 6-0 in the fifth after the opening five batters of the inning reached base safely. Junior first baseman Lindsay Reicoff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) and senior center fielder Shelby Heyd (Innisfil, Ontario/Nantyr Shores Secondary) led off with back-to-back singles before Reicoff scored on a fielding error. Freshman designated player Hailey Wilson (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy) later delivered an RBI single with the bases loaded and Vallecorsa followed with a two-run single to left center.

Vallecorsa went 2-for-3 with three RBI, while junior third baseman Natalya Smarra (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) and Wilson both finished with two hits, one RBI and one run scored. Finley also collected two hits and one RBI in the victory.

Against Bloomsburg (26-16), Sagl improved to 19-4 this season after allowing one run (unearned) on just two hits. She posted seven strikeouts and issued no walks over 7.0 innings (98 pitches), while allowing just four base runners in her 19th complete game of the year. Sagl has yet to allow an earned run and has totaled 19 strikeouts over 21.0 innings at the PSAC Tournament this weekend.

The Vulcans jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run homer by Reicoff, her league-leading 18th of the year. Sagl later retired nine-straight batters before center fielder Kayal McHale reached on a throwing error with one out in the sixth. Following a called third strike, McHale scored from first on an RBI single to left center.

In the bottom of the sixth, Cal U loaded the bases on a hit by pitch and two walks before freshman left fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) belted a grand slam, her seventh homer of the year.

The Vulcans managed just two hits, both homers, and drew five walks in the victory. Bloomsburg starter Taylor Parker (14-5) was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs (both earned) while working just 0.2 inning due to injury.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow against West Chester in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, at 11 a.m. The Golden Rams won both meetings last year in the NCAA Tournament en route to claiming the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship.

PSAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 30
Game 1 - (E1) West Chester d. (W4) IUP, 6-5 (9 inn.)
Game 2 - (W2) Seton Hill d. (E3) Kutztown, 7-1
Game 3 - (W1) California d. (E4) East Stroudsburg, 6-0
Game 4 - (W3) Gannon d. (E2) Bloomsburg, 2-0
Game 5 - (E1) West Chester d. (W2) Seton Hill, 9-1 (6 inn.)
Game 6 - (W4) IUP d. (E3) Kutztown, 4-0 (Kutztown eliminated)
Game 7 - (W3) Gannon d. (W1) California, 5-4
Game 8 - (E2) Bloomsburg d. (E4) East Stroudsburg, 10-3 (East Stroudsburg eliminated)

Friday, May 1
Game 9 - (W1) California d. (W4) IUP, 6-0 (IUP eliminated)
Game 10 - (E2) Bloomsburg d. (W2) Seton Hill, 5-3 (Seton Hill eliminated)
Game 11 - (W3) Gannon d. (E1) West Chester, 8-4
Game 12 - (W1) California d. (E2) Bloomsburg, 6-1 (Bloomsburg eliminated)

Saturday, May 2
Game 13 - (W1) California vs. (E1) West Chester, 11 a.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 14 - (W3) Gannon vs. Winner of Game 13, 1:30 p.m.
Game 15 - Winner of Game 14 vs. Loser of Game 14, 4 p.m. (if necessary)