CALIFORNIA (May 8) – The top-seeded and No. 21 Vulcans pounded out 11 runs over the opening three innings on Friday afternoon en route to claiming an 11-0 run-rule victory against eighth-seeded Saint Augustine's at Lilley Field in the NCAA Tournament.

With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 36-10 overall behind a 15-1 mark at Lilley Field. The Vulcans will now face fourth-seeded Charleston (W.Va.) tomorrow, Saturday, May 9, in the winner's bracket at 10:30 a.m. Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons fall to 22-14 this season after claiming the automatic qualifier from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

Juniors Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) and Meghan Uher (Acme, Pa./Connellsville) combined for a three-hit shutout against Saint Augustine's on Friday. Sagl improved to 22-4 this season after scattering two hits and one walk over 4.0 innings (52 pitches), while also registering eight strikeouts. Uher needed just five pitches in the final 1.0 inning of the game. Saint Augustine's starter Korey Hill (5-6) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks in just 0.1 inning.

Sagl struck out the side in the top of the first before Cal U batted around in the bottom of the inning. The Vulcans led off the inning with back-to-back walks before junior third baseman Natalya Smarra (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) posted an RBI single through the middle. Freshman center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) and freshman designated player Hailey Wilson (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy) followed with back-to-back RBI doubles. Wilson later scored the final run of the inning on a passed ball, 5-0.

In the second, junior first baseman Lindsay Reicoff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) opened with a double and scored on an RBI single up the middle by Fowler. Wilson followed with a single before sophomore catcher Megan Jahoda (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) lined a two-run double off the outfield wall before being thrown at third following an injury to the Lady Falcons left fielder.

The Vulcans continued to add to their lead after collecting four singles in the bottom of the third. The inning opened with three-straight singles, including an RBI single through the middle by freshman shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland). Following a fly-out, Smarra delivered another RBI single before Price scored on a fielder's choice.

Saint Augustine's managed to advance its only runner into scoring position in the fourth with a single and hit by pitch. Sagl then retired the next two batters to help preserve the shutout.

The Nos. 4-7 hitters for the Vulcans went a combined 8-for-11 with nine RBI and five runs scored. Fowler finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Wilson also went 2-for-3 and tallied two RBI and two runs scored. Smarra and Jahoda each also registered two hits and two RBI in the victory on Friday.

Cal U returns to action at Lilley Field tomorrow when it faces Charleston at 10:30 a.m. The Golden Eagles, which finished third in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) standings, advanced on Friday with a 3-2 victory over Gannon, the runner-up in last week's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament.

SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Friday, May 8
Game 1 - (1) California (Pa.) d. (8) Saint Augustine's, 11-0 (5 innings)
Game 2 - (4) Charleston (W.Va.) d. (5) Gannon, 3-2
 
Saturday, May 9
Game 3 - (1) California (Pa.) vs. (4) Charleston (W.Va.), 10:30 a.m.
Game 4 - (8) Saint Augustine's vs. (5) Gannon, 1 p.m.
Game 5 - Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3, 3:30 p.m.
 
Sunday, May 10
Game 6 - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5, 1 p.m.
Game 7 - Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6, 3:30 p.m. (if necessary)