EDINBORO, Pa. (April 23) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team recorded a pair of run-rule victories on Monday afternoon to sweep a doubleheader against Edinboro in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, winning 9-1 in Game 1 and 12-4 in Game 2– both in five innings.

With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 14-12 overall with an 8-4 mark in divisional action. Meanwhile, the Fighting Scots fall to 5-20 this season behind a 1-11 record in league play.

In Game 1, Cal U benefited from three errors by Edinboro that led to seven unearned runs. Senior left fielder Kaylyn Roose (Akron, Ohio/Revere) belted a three-run homer and scored two runs, while senior center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) also scored twice in the victory.

Junior Emilee Downing (Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison) earned the complete-game victory to improve to 5-3 in her first season as a pitcher. She yielded one run (earned) on two hits and no walks over 5.0 innings while recording a career-high 10 strikeouts. Edinboro starter Kerri Stevens (1-7) was saddled with the loss after allowing nine runs (two earned) on five hits and six walks in 4.0 innings.

The Vulcans loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on a pair of walks and a fielder's choice. Junior Abby Sachse (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton) then reached on a two-out fielding error that scored a pair of runs before Roose followed with a three-run homer, her first of the season. In the second, Edinboro trimmed the deficit to 5-1 on a solo home homer by third baseman Brittany Allen. Following the homer, Downing retired 11-straight batters for the Fighting Scots with six via strikeout.

Cal U added to its lead in the third on an RBI double by Sachse and Roose later scored on a two-out RBI single by junior designated player Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue). The Vulcans forced the run-rule victory by stretching the lead to 9-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Fowler drew a bases-loaded walk and senior shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) later scored on a fielder's choice.

In Game 2, sophomore first baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren) finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Sachse belted a grand slam and scored twice, while Price and senior third baseman Carlee Wickstrom (Canonsburg, Pa./Peters Township) also scored two runs.

Edinboro took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a three-run homer by center fielder Olivia Jankowski. The Vulcans responded by batting around in the bottom of the inning, scoring seven runs on five hits, one walk, two hit by pitch and three errors. Cal U loaded the bases to start the game before freshman catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) scored on a sacrifice fly. Paige Wilson followed with a two-run double before Sachse reached on a hit by pitch. Roose and Robblee then delivered back-to-back RBI singles and Brooke Wilson later delivered an RBI double with two outs.

In the fourth, Paige Wilson collected a bases-loaded single with one out before Sachse delivered a grand slam, her first career homer in 103 at-bats. The Fighting Scots managed to cut the deficit to 12-4 in the top of the fifth by collecting a two-out RBI single.

Junior Carly Konopka (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) recorded the win to improve to 6-3 this year. She allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks over 4.2 innings. Edinboro starter Amanda Metz (2-6) suffered the loss after being roughed up for 12 runs (all earned) on nine hits in 4.0 innings.

The Vulcans are scheduled to return to action tomorrow, Tuesday, April 24, when they play a doubleheader at Slippery Rock, starting at 11 a.m.