ERIE, Pa. (March 31) – The Vulcans scored the game-tying and game-winning runs with two outs in the top of the seventh of Game 2 on Saturday afternoon to earn a doubleheader sweep at Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, winning 7-1 and 4-3.

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 8-8 this season and starts divisional play with a 2-0 mark. The Vulcans were playing their first games in over two weeks, as their last action was on March 15 in Florida. Meanwhile, Gannon falls to 8-9 overall with a 0-2 record in league action.

In Game 2, the Lady Knights held a 3-2 lead entering the top of the seventh and recorded the first two outs of the inning via ground-outs. Senior center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) then tied the score with a solo homer, her third of the season, before sophomore first baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren) reached on a walk. Senior Courtney Sinclair (Oil City, Ontario/Lambton Central) followed with an infield single to third base and an errant throw on the play went all the way down the outfield fence and allowed Wilson to score the go-ahead run from first.

Junior Emilee Downing (Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison) improved to 4-1 this season after scattering just two hits over 3.0 scoreless innings of relief. Sophomore starter Cierra Funke (Hampshire County, W.Va./Hampshire) took a no-decision after allowing three runs (all earned) on four hits and two walks over 4.0-plus innings (65 pitches). Gannon starter Kennedy DeMatteis (2-5) suffered the loss after surrendering four runs (three earned) on seven hits and six walks in 7.0 innings (139 pitches).

Gannon took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-out double before adding a two-run homer by catcher Lisa Szajn in the second inning. The Vulcans stranded runners on third in both the third and fourth innings before cutting the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth with a two-run double by junior right fielder Abby Sachse (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton) with the bases loaded.

Fowler finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Wilson also scored twice.

In Game 1, the Vulcans scored three runs in both the fifth and seventh innings. Senior third baseman Carlee Wickstrom (Canonsburg, Pa./Peters Township) went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and one RBI, while Wilson went 3-for-4 with two RBI.

Gannon took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first before Cal U tied the score in the fourth on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded. The Vulcans took advantage of a two-out error in the fifth to claim a 4-1 lead, as Wickstrom delivered an RBI double before Fowler and Wilson followed with back-to-back RBI singles. In the seventh, Cal U added three insurance runs after the initial three batters of the inning reached base safely. Wilson collected an RBI single before Sachse later added a two-run single.

Junior Carly Konopka (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) earned the win after tossing 5.0 innings (80 pitches) of three-hit shutout relief to improve to 1-1 this year. Gannon starter Madi Beining (4-4) was saddled with the loss after being roughed up for seven runs (two earned) on 10 hits over 7.0 innings (119 pitches).

Cal U returns to action on Monday, April 2, when it travels to face Slippery Rock in a doubleheader at 2:30 p.m.