SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (April 13) – Three different players belted a homer in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon to help the Vulcans earn a split of a doubleheader at Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, dropping a 3-0 contest in Game 1 before claiming a 9-1 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team moves to 9-17 this season behind a 5-5 mark in league action. The Vulcans have now split three of their five doubleheaders in PSAC West play this spring. Meanwhile, The Rock stands at 14-21 overall with a 6-6 record in divisional action.

In Game 2, senior third baseman Emilee Downing (Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison) went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, four RBI and two runs scored, while senior pitcher Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) finished 3-for-3 with three runs scored and one walk. Sophomore right fielder Janelle Allison (Pleasant Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) collected a pair of hits, including a three-run homer, plus senior designated player Carly Konopka (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) and senior center fielder Abby Sachse (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton) both registered multi-hit games in the victory.

Robblee (6-6) matched her career high with her team-leading sixth victory of the season. She tallied a season-high nine strikeouts while allowing one run (earned) on three hits and one walk over 7.0 innings (97 pitches). Rock reliever Chloe Sharman (4-7) suffered the loss after surrendering four runs (all earned) on three hits and two walks in 1.2 innings of work.

Slippery Rock took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-out RBI single through the middle. The Vulcans tied the score in the third when Downing delivered an RBI double with two outs to score Robblee from second.

In the fifth, sophomore catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) belted a solo homer, her second of the year, with one out. Robblee then drew a walk before Downing followed with a two-run homer, her third of the year, to stretch the lead to 4-1. The Rock attempted to counter with a two-out rally in the bottom of the inning following a walk and single before Robblee ended the inning with a strikeout.

Cal U added to the lead in the sixth on a two-out RBI double by Sachse before scoring four runs on five-straight hits in the top of the seventh. Robblee started the inning with a double before Downing posted an RBI single. Following another single, Allison recorded a three-run homer – her second of the year – to extend the lead to 9-1.

In Game 1, Downing (3-5) was saddled with the loss after yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks in 6.0 innings (96 pitches). Slippery Rock starter Camie Shumaker (10-9) earned the complete-game shutout victory after scattering just one hit and three walks over 7.0 innings (108 pitches).

The Rock collected a two-out hit in both the first and second innings before eventually taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Slippery Rock started the third with a walk and then loaded the bases on back-to-back singles. Downing registered consecutive strikeouts before catcher Leah Vith delivered a two-run single that resulted in the final out of the inning being recorded at third base.

Cal U looked to answer in the fourth with the bases loaded and two outs, however, a pop-up ended the inning. The Vulcans collected their lone hit of the contest on a leadoff single in the fifth before a double play erased the base runner. Slippery Rock added to its lead in the bottom of the inning after a two-out error allowed a runner to score from second, 3-0.

The Vulcans return to action on Tuesday, April 16, when they play a doubleheader against Seton Hill in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, at 3 p.m.