CALIFORNIA (April 5) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team was shutout in both games of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West doubleheader for the first time since 2009 on Wednesday afternoon, losing 7-0 and 4-0 to Slippery Rock at Lilley Field.

With the losses, the Vulcans fall to 9-9 this season with a 0-2 mark in league play. The Vulcans had played 141 games in PSAC West play since being shutout in both games of a doubleheader to eventual-National Champion Lock Haven on March 30, 2009. Meanwhile, The Rock improves to 9-12 overall and 3-1 in divisional action.

In Game 1, Cal U finished the game with 10 runners left on base, including six in scoring position. The Vulcans were limited to just five hits and freshman third baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren) went 2-for-4 in the loss. Junior shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) drew three walks in four plate appearances from the leadoff spot.

Both teams stranded their leadoff hitter at third in the first inning before Cal U left the bases loaded in both the second and third. Senior catcher Megan Jahoda (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) started the rally with one out in the third with a single before sophomore second baseman Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) drew a walk. Junior center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) then reached on a single to load the bases before a strikeout and fly-out ended the inning.

Slippery Rock broke the scoreless tie by tallying four runs, including three with two outs, in the top of the fourth. The Rock then stretched its lead to 7-0 by scoring three runs after six-straight batters reached safely in the fifth inning, including back-to-back two-out RBI singles.

Senior starter Kaity Davis (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) dropped to 3-3 on the season after surrendering four runs (all earned) on eight hits in 6.0 innings (92 pitches). Rock senior Carly DeRose (3-4) scattered five hits and five walks over 7.0 shutout innings (119 pitches).

In Game 2, the Vulcans were held to four hits and left five runners in scoring position.

Cal U threatened in the bottom of the third with sophomore center fielder Abby Sachse (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton) reaching on a leadoff single. Price then reached via an error on a sacrifice bunt that allowed Sachse to advance to third. However, the next two batters were retired on called third strikes before the inning ended with a ground-out.

In the fourth, The Rock scored three runs after benefiting from an error on a sacrifice bunt. Slippery Rock added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a solo homer by right fielder Nicole Siciliano.

Senior Portia McBride (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) fell to 3-3 this year after allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits with no walks in 7.0 innings (87 pitches). She also registered nine strikeouts on Wednesday and has now tallied 21 strikeouts over her last 14.0 innings after posting just 13 strikeouts in her initial seven appearances (27.1 innings). Rock junior Brooke Dawson (6-4) tossed a four-hit, complete-game shutout in the victory (110 pitches).

In the doubleheader against The Rock, the Vulcans went only a combined 2-for-26 with runners on base, including just 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

Cal U returns to action on Friday, April 7, when it hosts a doubleheader against Mercyhurst at 2:30 p.m.