CALIFORNIA (May 9) – Behind a nine-run fifth inning, the top-seeded and No. 21 California University of Pennsylvania softball team staved off elimination by earning a 13-4 run-rule victory over Gannon at Lilley Field in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon after suffering a 5-2 loss to Charleston (W.Va.) earlier in the day.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 37-11 this season with a 6-0 record in elimination games this post-season. Cal U advances to face fourth-seeded Charleston, who has yet to lose in the double-elimination tournament, tomorrow, Sunday, May 10, at 1 p.m.

Against Charleston (38-12), Cal U was limited to just one hit through five innings before the Golden Eagles broke open the game with a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the sixth. Junior Meghan Uher (Acme, Pa./Connellsville) dropped to 10-2 this season after suffering the loss, allowing two runs (both earned) on two hits in 1.0 inning of relief. Classmate Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) took a no-decision after surrendering three runs (all earned) on six hits with seven strikeouts over 5.0 innings (90 pitches). Senior Courtney Fain (20-7) earned the complete-game victory after allowing two runs (both earned) on three hits and seven walks, while posting nine strikeouts in 7.0 innings (134 pitches).

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a solo homer by junior first baseman Lindsay Reicoff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley), her 19th homer of the season. In the fourth, Charleston countered with a solo homer by designated player Bethany Williams, her ninth of the year, to tie the score at 1-1. Reicoff was intentionally walked to open the bottom of the inning and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch before Fain retired the next two batters in order.

Charleston broke the tie with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Golden Eagles had runners on the corners following a walk and single before second baseman Jenna Evans posted an RBI double. Following a hit by pitch, Uher relived Sagl in the circle and recorded the last out of the inning when she tagged out right fielder Rachelle Toppings attempting to score from third on an errant pitch.

The Vulcans managed to the score at 2-2 in the top of the sixth with a bases-loaded walk by sophomore catcher Megan Jahoda (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) before the Golden Eagles answered in the bottom of the inning. Uher retired the initial two batters before allowing back-to-back singles. Sagl then reentered the game and surrendered a three-run homer to pinch hitter Alayna Carlson with two outs. Cal U brought the game-tying run to the plate with two outs in the seventh before the game ended on a pop-up.

Already owning the single-season school record, Reicoff tied Courtney Hughes of Lock Haven (2006) for the fourth-most, single-season homers in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) history. Reicoff was walked in each of her next three plate appearances, including twice intentionally.

Against fifth-seeded Gannon (29-16), the teams were tied at 4-4 before the Vulcans scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth after sending 15 batters to the plate. Freshman left fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) finished 3-for-3 with a three-run homer and four RBI, while freshman second baseman Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) went 2-for-3 with four RBI and one run scored. Junior third baseman Natalya Smarra (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) collected two hits, two RBI and two runs scored and junior right fielder Kaity Finley (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) tallied a pair of hits and scored twice from the leadoff spot.

The Lady Knights took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first with a two-run homer by catcher Katie Dunn with two outs. Cal U countered in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single by Smarra before Fowler followed with a three-run homer, her eighth of the year, to take a 4-2 lead.

Gannon tied the score at 4-4 in the third on a two-run homer by Jess Recetenwald before loading the bases in the fourth. Following the third pitching change of the game for the Vulcans, Sagl reentered the game and struck out the first batter she faced before inducing a ground-out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Price delivered a two-run double to left center with the bases loaded before another run scored on a fielder's choice. Smarra, Fowler and freshman designated player Hailey Wilson (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy) then collected three-straight RBI singles. Junior second baseman Erica Vallecorsa (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) later drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk and Price closed the scoring in the inning with a two-run single.

Sagl, who started and reentered in the fourth, improved to 23-4 this season after allowing two runs (both earned) on three hits in 2.1 innings of work. Gannon starter Olivia Gumbita (13-6) was saddled with the loss after being roughed up for 11 runs (all earned) on 12 hits and three walks in 3.1 innings (60 pitches).

Reicoff was walked in all four plate appearances against the Lady Knights and finished Saturday with a seven combined walks and one at-bat, a solo homer. She broke the single-season school record for walks, which was last reached in 2001 by Kristin Heslop, who also held the program's all-time home run record until 2012.

Cal U returns to action tomorrow with a rematch against Charleston at Lilley Field, starting at 1 p.m. The Vulcans must defeat the Golden Eagles twice tomorrow to advance to next week's NCAA Super Regionals, while Charleston advances with just one victory.

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 - (4) Charleston (W.Va.) d. (1) California (Pa.), 5-2
Game 4 - (5) Gannon d. (8) Saint Augustine's, 11-2 (5 innings) (Saint Augustine's eliminated)
Game 5 - (1) California (Pa.) d. (5) Gannon, 13-4 (5 innings) (Gannon eliminated)
 
Sunday, May 10
Game 6 - (4) Charleston (W.Va.) vs. (1) California (Pa.), 1 p.m.
Game 7 - Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6, 3:30 p.m. (if necessary)