CALIFORNIA (April 28) – The Vulcans clinched a berth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament on Friday afternoon by splitting a doubleheader against Gannon on Senior Day at Lilley Field, suffering a 7-3 loss in Game 1 before earning a 5-2 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team stands at 20-14 overall and 11-7 in league play. The Vulcans, who have now recorded at least 20 victories in 10-consecutive seasons, hold a four-game lead for third in the PSAC West standings and sit just one game back of first place with two games left in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Lady Knights sit at 25-12 this season and are tied with Seton Hill for first place in the standings with a 12-6 record in conference action.

In Game 1, the Vulcans and Lady Knights combined to leave a staggering 26 runners on base (15 scoring position) and committed nine errors. Senior starter Portia McBride (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) suffered the loss to fall to 7-4 this season after allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits in 4.0 innings. Gannon starter Olivia Gumbita (14-5) earned the win after yielding three runs (all unearned) on five hits and six walks in 4.0 innings (115 pitches).

Gannon scored one run in both the first and second, while Cal U left the bases loaded in each inning. The Lady Knights took a 3-0 lead in the third on a solo homer before the Vulcans scored on an error in the bottom of the inning and again left the bases loaded. Gannon extended its lead by scoring three run in the fourth behind back-to-back, two-out hits. In the bottom of the fourth, Cal U mounted a two-out rally that was started when sophomore third baseman Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) reached on a fielding error. Junior center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) and senior designated player Megan Jahoda (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) followed with back-to-back RBI doubles to cut the deficit to 6-3. The Lady Knights added an insurance run in the fifth with a two-out RBI single.

Sophomore left fielder Logan Blake (Jordan Station, Ontario/Bishop Ridley) went 2-for-4 in the loss and Fowler scored a pair of runs.

In Game 2, senior Kaity Davis (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) improved to 7-5 this season after tossing the 12th complete game of her career. She allowed two runs while scattering nine hits over 7.0 innings (87 pitches) with no walks and six strikeouts. Gannon starter Kellyn Perich (3-4) was saddled with the loss after surrendering five runs (all earned) on five hits and five walks in 6.0 innings (96 pitches).

The Vulcans batted around in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs on three hits and three walks. Cal U loaded the bases on a leadoff single and two walks before scoring its first run on a sacrifice fly.  After another walk loaded the bases, senior left fielder Kaity Finley (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) delivered a two-run single to right-center field with two outs before Blake followed with an RBI infield single.

Gannon cut the deficit to 4-2 by scoring one run in both the third and fourth innings. The Vulcans then manufactured an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Junior first baseman Hailey Wilson (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy) opened the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Jahoda later delivered a two-out RBI single through the middle.

Junior shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) finished 2-for-3 with one run scored, while Finley and Jahoda both recorded a pair of RBI.

Cal U closes the regular season tomorrow, Saturday, April 29, when it hosts a doubleheader against Seton Hill at Lilley Field, starting at 1 p.m.