GREENSBURG, Pa. (April 11) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team posted a doubleheader split at Seton Hill in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Wednesday afternoon, claiming a 3-2 victory in extra innings in Game 1 before dropping a 2-1 contest in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 9-9 overall with a 3-1 mark in divisional action. Meanwhile, the Griffins stand at 11-9 this season with a 3-3 record in league play.

In Game 1, Cal U broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the seventh before Seton Hill tied the score in the bottom of the inning. The Vulcans then answered in the ninth inning when freshman catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) scored the game-winning run from first on a two-out double by senior shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland).

Wilson finished 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored from the leadoff spot, while Price went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.

The Vulcans left the bases loaded in the third inning before the Griffins took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a leadoff homer by center fielder Paige Hertzog. In the sixth, Price started the inning with a single and advanced to second when senior third baseman Carlee Wickstrom (Canonsburg, Pa./Peters Township) reached on a fielder's choice. Cal U then executed a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position before Price scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore first baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren).

Seton Hill answered in the bottom of the seventh and nearly claimed a walk-off victory. Catcher Chelsea Rohan led off the inning with a single and pinch hitter Samantha Estupinian drew a walk before the Vulcans made a pitching change. Second baseman Brooke Bower delivered a double to right field that scored the lead runner from second before the trail runner was tagged out at home on the play. After making the tag, Brooke Wilson fired the ball to Wickstrom who applied a tag on Bower at third base for the second out of the inning.

Junior Carly Konopka (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) earned the victory by scattering one hit over 3.0 innings of scoreless relief. Fellow junior Emilee Downing (Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison) took a no-decision after allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts in 6.0-plus innings (103 pitches). Seton Hill starter Devyn Terry (5-6) was saddled with the loss after surrendering three runs (all earned) on seven hits and three walks in 9.0 innings (131 pitches).

In Game 2, the Griffins took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after back-to-back hits with two outs. Cal U answered with a two-out RBI double by Price in the third that allowed freshman second baseman Alexa Pastor (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) to score from first. In the bottom of the third, the Griffins reclaimed the lead on an RBI single following a fielder's choice that resulted in an out at the plate.

Senior center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) led off the fourth with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Fowler later moved to third on a passed ball before the inning ended with a strikeout. In the sixth, Price and Wickstrom started the inning with a walk and a hit by pitch before the next three batters were retired in order.

Konopka suffered the loss (2-2) after yielding two runs (both earned) on eight hits in 4.0-plus innings. Downing then recorded four strikeouts over 2.0 innings of no-hit, scoreless relief. Seton Hill freshman Skyla Greco (3-2) registered a complete-game victory after allowing one run (earned) on four hits and one walk in 7.0 innings (80 pitches).

Cal U returns to action tomorrow, Thursday, April 12, when it travels to play a doubleheader at Slippery Rock, starting at 2:30 p.m.