ERIE, Pa. (April 24) – Playing their first games in almost 10 days, the Vulcans earned a doubleheader split at Mercyhurst on Monday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, posting a 10-0 run-rule victory in Game 1 before suffering an 8-1 loss in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team moves to 17-13 this campaign with an 8-6 mark in league action. The Vulcans are tied for second in the PSAC West standings with six games left in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Lakers stand at 12-16-1 overall behind a 6-10 record in conference action.

In Game 1, the Vulcans matched their season high of 10 runs with five players posting multi-hit games. Senior right fielder Kaity Finley (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) reached base in all four plate appearances, going 3-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored and one hit by pitch. Junior center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, while junior catcher Kaylyn Roose (Akron, Ohio/Revere) finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Sophomore left fielder Logan Blake (Jordan Station, Ontario/Bishop Ridley) posted two hits and junior first baseman Hailey Wilson (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy) tallied two hits, two RBI and one run scored.

Cal U took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a bases-loaded walk by junior shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) before Roose followed with a two-out RBI single. The Vulcans batted around in the third inning and scored six runs, all unearned, to stretch the lead to 8-0. Sophomore third baseman Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) led off with a single and Fowler reached on a throwing error. Finley later delivered an RBI single before Price drew another bases-loaded walk. Cal U eventually scored runs on an illegal pitch and wild pitch. The Vulcans added to the lead later in the inning on an RBI single by Roose and an RBI double by Wilson.

Cal U later took a 10-0 lead in the fourth on RBI singles by Finley and Price, who finished the game with three RBI.

Senior Portia McBride (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) improved to 6-3 this year after tossing a four-hit, complete-game shutout. She allowed only two base runners to advance into scoring position and issued no walks over 5.0 innings. Mercyhurst starter Heather Nye (6-12) suffered the loss after surrendering six runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks in 2.2 innings.

In Game 2, Price went 4-for-4 with one double and a solo homer, as she collected her second four-hit game of the year. Finley reached base twice via errors in the loss.

The Lakers took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on three singles before Price belted a solo homer, her second of the year, in the third. Mercyhurst countered with two runs in the fourth before taking a 6-1 lead on a double in the fifth. The Lakers scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth on three singles and one walk.

Senior starter Kaity Davis (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) was saddled with the loss after yielding six runs (all earned) on eight hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. Mercyhurst senior Anna Cochis (7-11) earned the complete-game victory, allowing one run (earned) and scattering eight hits over 7.0 innings.

Cal U returns to action on Wednesday, April 26, when it hosts a doubleheader against Edinboro at Lilley Field, starting at 2:30 p.m.