ERIE, Pa. (April 27) – The Vulcans scored seven runs in the top of the sixth inning during Game 1 on Friday afternoon while claiming a doubleheader split against Mercyhurst in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, winning 7-0 in Game 1 before suffering a 3-0 loss in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team moves to 15-13 this season behind a 9-5 mark in divisional play. The Vulcans remain second in the PSAC West standings based off winning percentage yet have played four less than games than the team in third place. Meanwhile, the Lakers stand at 8-30 overall with a 5-13 record in league action.

In Game 1, junior Emilee Downing (Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison) improved to 6-3 this year after tossing a four-hit, complete-game shutout. She recorded nine strikeouts and issued three walks while forcing the Lakers to leave six runners on base, including three at third base. Mercyhurst starter Heather Nye (5-5) suffered the loss after surrendering five runs (all earned) on six hits and one walk in 5.2 innings.

The Lakers stranded a runner at third in both the first and third innings before later leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth. Cal U batted around in the top of the sixth, taking a 7-0 lead on six hits and one walk. Freshman catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) and senior shortstop Emily Price (Warren, Ohio/Howland) started the rally with back-to-back singles before senior third baseman Carlee Wickstrom (Canonsburg, Pa./Peters Township) reached on a walk to load the bases. Following a strikeout, sophomore first baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren) delivered a two-run double with two outs before junior right fielder Abby Sachse (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton) then collected an RBI single. Mercyhurst then made a pitching change before senior left fielder Kaylyn Roose (Akron, Ohio/Revere) posted an RBI single and junior designated player Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) belted a three-run homer, her third of the season.

Paige Wilson finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored, while Brooke Wilson went 2-for-4 with one run scored.

In Game 2, Cal U was limited to four hits in the shutout and finished with eight runners left on base, including three in scoring position. Brooke Wilson collected a pair of hits for her team-leading 10th multi-hit game of the season.

The Lakers loaded the bases in the bottom of the first with walks to three of the initial four batters. Following a pitching change, Cal U forced a lineout before a hit by pitch gave Mercyhurst a 1-0 lead with two outs. The Lakers were then forced to leave the bases loaded, as Robblee recorded a strikeout.

Mercyhurst increased its lead to 2-0 with an RBI single in the second before adding an insurance run in the fourth. The Vulcans threatened with a runner in scoring position in the top of the fifth before a fly-out ended the inning. Cal U attempted to avoid the shutout in the seventh with runners on first and second following a fielder's choice and single before an unassisted ground-out ended the game.

Junior starter Carly Konopka (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) suffered the loss to fall to 6-4 this year after allowing three walks and one hit in 0.1 inning. Robblee worked 5.2 innings of relief on Friday and yielded two runs (both earned) on seven hits and one walk. Mercyhurst starter Tori Pierucci (5-12) scattered four hits and four walks while recording the complete-game shutout.

Cal U returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, April 28, when it travels to play a doubleheader against Seton Hill in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, at 1 p.m.