CALIFORNIA (April 2) – The No. 13 California University of Pennsylvania softball team completed its home-opening weekend with a doubleheader sweep of Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, winning 9-1 and 1-0 at Lilley Field on Saturday afternoon.
With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 21-1 on the year behind a 21-game winning streak and 8-0 in divisional play. Meanwhile, the Lady Knights fall to 10-14 overall behind a 2-6 conference mark.
In Game 1, the Lady Knights belted a two-out solo home run to straight-away centerfield in the top of the first. In the bottom half of the inning, Cal U responded with two runs. Sophomore shortstop
Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) drew a four-pitch walk before advancing to second on a ground-out. Senior third baseman
Natalya Smarra (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) then delivered a two-out, two-run homer to take a 2-1 lead. Cal U struck again in the third after a lead-off double from Price followed by four-straight, two-out singles capped by an RBI single from senior second baseman
Erica Vallecorsa (Latham, N.Y./Shaker), 5-1. The Vulcans posted four more runs in the sixth inning with two-run singles by both sophomore center fielder
Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) and sophomore pinch hitter
Alissa Petrosoniak (Mississauga, Ontario/Streetsville) to earn a 9-1 run-rule victory.
Senior
Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) improved to 10-1 this season after allowing one run (earned) on one hit with eight strikeouts in 6.0 innings (92 pitches). Gannon freshman Kellyn Perich (2-6) took the loss after yielding nine runs (all earned) on 13 hits in 5.2 innings (82 pitches).
In Game 2, the Vulcans scored the lone run of the game in the first inning on a solo homer by senior first baseman
Lindsay Reicoff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) to right field, which was her seventh of the season. The Lady Knights had their best chance in the sixth inning following a lead-off double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Gannon left six runners on base in Game 2, including five in scoring position.
Senior
Meghan Uher (Acme, Pa./Connellsville) earned the win and improved to 6-0 after scattering five hits in 6.2 scoreless innings. Sagl earned her second save of the year after recording the final out of the game. Gannon junior Olivia Gumbita (7-6) suffered the loss after allowing four hits and yielding one run in 6.0 innings.
The Vulcans return to action with a road doubleheader against Seton Hill in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on Friday, April 8, beginning at 2:30 p.m.