CALIFORNIA (April 9) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team scored a combined seven runs in the sixth inning on Sunday afternoon to earn a doubleheader sweep of Mercyhurst at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, winning 3-1 and 8-1.

With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 12-10 this season with a 3-3 mark in divisional play. Meanwhile, the Lakers fall to 8-20-1 overall and 2-4 in league action.

In Game 1, Cal U broke a 1-1 tie by scoring two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Kaity Davis (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) earned the win after working 3.2 innings of scoreless relief without allowing a hit. She retired 11 of the 12 batters she faced with the only base runner reaching on a fielding error in the sixth. Mercyhurst starter Heather Nye suffered the loss after yielding three runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks in 6.0 innings (88 pitches).

The Vulcans manufactured one run on two singles in the bottom of the second. Junior catcher Kaylyn Roose (Akron, Ohio/Revere) led off the inning with a single before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a pop-up, sophomore left fielder Logan Blake (Jordan Station, Ontario/Bishop Ridley) delivered an RBI single through the middle. The Lakers tied the score in the fourth with a solo homer by third baseman Cassandra Egleston.

Cal U broke the tie in the sixth inning after benefiting from a pair of errors. Roose reached on a fielding error to start the inning before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Carly Konopka (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) then reached on a pinch-hit single and advanced to second on a throwing error on the play that allowed Roose to score. Junior Hailey Wilson (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy) later delivered a two-out single through the left side that increased the lead to 3-1.

In Game 2, three players collected multi-hit games with junior shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) reaching base safely in all four plate appearances from the leadoff spot. She totaled four RBI and scored two runs after reaching on a hit by pitch, bases-loaded walk, two-run homer and RBI single. Junior Courtney Sinclair (Oil City, Ontario/Lambton Central) collected a pair of hits and scored two runs, while Blake also added two hits in the victory.

The Lakers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a ground-out before the Price drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the inning to tie the score. In the fifth, Sinclair reached on a fielding error to open the inning before Price followed with a two-run homer, her first of the season.

Cal U broke open the game in the sixth after batting around in the inning. Roose led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Blake later delivered an RBI single and moved to third on a steal and throwing error on the play. Sinclair then reached on an infield single to the catcher that forced Blake to stay at third. Price followed with an RBI single before a throwing error allowed her move to second and Sinclair to reach third. Junior Alissa Petrosoniak (Mississauga, Ontario/Streetsville) reached on a pinch-hit infield single that scored from Sinclair. Freshman third baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren) and senior designated player Megan Jahoda (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) followed with back-to-back RBI singles to stretch the lead to 8-1. Mercyhurst was able to load the bases in the top of the seventh on three singles before an infield fly and diving catch by junior Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) in left center ended the game.

Davis (6-4) again earned the win in relief during Game 2, scattering four hits over 3.2 shutout innings. Sophomore starter Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) took a no-decision after allowing one run (earned) on three hits and one walk in 3.1 innings. Mercyhurst starter Anna Cochis was saddled with the loss after surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits over 5.2 innings (74 pitches).

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Monday, April 9, when they travel to face Edinboro in PSAC West play for a doubleheader at 2:30 p.m.