CALIFORNIA (April 17) – The No. 10 California University of Pennsylvania softball team suffered its first loss since the season-opener on Sunday afternoon, as it split a doubleheader against Slippery Rock at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, suffering a 1-0 loss before posting an 8-0 run-rule victory.

With the split, the Vulcans moves to 28-2 overall with a 15-1 mark in divisional action. Cal U also had its 27-game winning streak snapped in Game 1, which came one year to the day of its last loss in PSAC West play. Meanwhile, The Rock stands at 19-18 this season behind an 8-8 record in league action.

In Game 1, senior Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) dropped to 13-2 this season after allowing one run (earned) on four hits and no walks in 7.0 innings (94 pitches; 66 strikes). She also tallied 10 strikeouts while suffering her first loss since February 19. Rock sophomore Brooke Dawson (8-7) tossed a five-hit, complete-game shutout and issued four walks over 7.0 innings (106 pitches).

Both teams had scoring opportunities early in the game, as Cal U left a runner in scoring position in both the first and second innings. The Rock collected back-to-back singles with one out in the top of the third before the next batter was ruled out for stepping on the plate. Sagl then worked back from a 3-1 count to end the inning with a called third strike.

Second baseman Caitlin Baxter led off the fourth with a solo homer to center field before Sagl retired the next nine batters in order. In the top of the seventh, the leadoff batter for Slippery Rock reached on a hit by pitch before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt and ground-out. Sagl then ended the inning with her 10th strikeout of the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, freshman Abby Sachse (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton) reached on a pinch-hit infield single with one out before senior Erica Vallecorsa (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) reentered as the runner. Junior catcher Megan Jahoda (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) then drew a four-pitch walk before sophomore Jenna Lucas (Canonsburg, Pa./Fort Cherry) entered as the pinch runner at first.

Freshman right fielder Emilee Downing (Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison) then lined a 3-1 pitch to shallow right field that escaped the reach of the diving outfielder. Vallecorsa and Lucas both held at their respective bases until the ball fell and started advancing when the center fielder picked up the ball. The ball was being thrown into home before Vallecorsa was stuck between third and home and Lucas was charging to third. The Rock was then able to tag out both Vallecorsa and Lucas who were attempting to retreat back to third and second, respectively.

In Game 2, the Vulcans raced out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first before adding three runs in the second to eventually claim the run-rule victory. Jahoda and senior third baseman Natalya Smarra (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) both finished with two RBI, while sophomore center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) and sophomore shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) both scored twice.

Junior right fielder Kaity Finley (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) led off the bottom of the first with an infield single before Price drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt before Finley scored on a ground-out. Following a walk, freshman Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) lined an RBI single to center field and Vallecorsa later drew a bases-loaded walk. Slippery Rock then made a pitching change before Jahoda delivered a two-run single to center field.

In the top of the second, Slippery Rock led off the inning with a walk and a single before senior starter Meghan Uher (Acme, Pa./Connellsville) induced a double play. Robblee then entered the circle after Uher fell behind the next batter (3-0 count) following a walk Robblee retired all 10 batters she faced.

Price led off the bottom of the second with a double and later scored on an infield single by Smarra. Fowler then posted a RBI double to right-center field before eventually scoring on a single by Downing.

Robblee improved to 4-0 this year after tossing 3.1 innings of no-hit relief. Rock starter Carly DeRose (8-6) was saddled with the loss after being roughed up for five runs (all earned) on two hits and three walks in just 0.2 inning.

The Vulcans return to action on Friday, April 22, when they host Seton Hill for a doubleheader at 2:30 p.m.