SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 9) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team opened the season with a 4-2 loss at No. 22 St. Mary's (Texas) on Friday night during the initial day of the NCAA Division II College Classic hosted by the Rattlers.
With the loss, the Vulcans start the year at 0-1. Meanwhile, the Rattlers improve to 5-3 overall after winning 16 conference titles over the last 17 seasons.
Cal U took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning after freshman right fielder
Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) scored from second on a two-out RBI single by sophomore third baseman
Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren), the 2017 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Freshman of the Year. The Rattlers tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning after scoring on a throw to second on a steal attempt.
In the second, senior catcher
Kaylyn Roose (Akron, Ohio/Revere) lined a triple before scoring on a two-out single by second baseman
Alexa Pastor (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield), 2-1. St. Mary's again tied the score in bottom of the inning by manufacturing a run with a leadoff walk, single and sacrifice bunt.
The Rattlers took their first lead of the game at 3-2 in the third on a double steal of second and home. St. Mary's added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out error after the runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. The Vulcans managed a base runner in each of the last two innings, but were unable to advance the runner into scoring position.
Cal U used three different pitchers in the contest with junior
Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) suffering the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on three hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. St. Mary's sophomore Staci Johns (3-1) earned the complete-game victory after yielding two runs (both earned) and scattering four hits with nine strikeouts over 7.0 innings (97 pitches).
The Vulcans continue play in San Antonio, Texas, tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 10, when it faces Tarleton State (Texas) and Eastern New Mexico, starting at 1:15 p.m. EST.