EDINBORO, Pa. (April 3) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team used a five-run first inning in Game 2 to help claim a doubleheader split at Edinboro in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action on Wednesday afternoon, suffering an 8-7 walk-off loss in Game 1 before claiming a 9-7 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 5-15 overall while opening league play with a 1-3 record. Meanwhile, the Fighting Scots stand at 9-11 this season with a 2-2 mark in divisional action.

In Game 2, sophomore catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) went 4-for-4 with one run scored from the leadoff spot. Sophomore center fielder Janelle Allison (Pleasant Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) finished 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, four RBI and two runs scored. Junior Sierra Besser-Paul (Montreal, Quebec/Howard S. Billings) scored twice and sophomore Hannah Clunk (New Cumberland, W.Va./Oak Glen) recorded a pair of RBI and scored one run.

Wilson led off the game with a single before the next three batters all reached on errors, which resulted in two runs. Allison, who joined the program prior to spring break, then belted a three-run homer to left field to increase the lead to 5-0. Edinboro countered with one run in the bottom of the first before Clunk scored on a sacrifice fly in the second, 6-1.

The Fighting Scots answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second before the Vulcans stretched the lead to 9-3 in the third. Besser-Paul led off the inning with an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Allison followed with an RBI single. After a sacrifice bunt, freshman second baseman Kaitlyn Corle (Hopewell, Pa./Northern Bedford) collected a single and stole second before Clunk delivered a two-run double with two outs.

Edinboro also scored three runs in the third and trimmed the deficit to 9-7 on an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth. Senior pitcher Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) then retired the next 10 batters in order to seal the victory.

Robblee improved to 4-5 this season after surrendering seven runs (three earned) on nine hits while recording seven strikeouts and no walks in 7.0 innings (105 pitches). Edinboro starter Amanda Metz (1-7) was saddled with the loss after allowing nine runs (three earned) on 10 hits over 6.0 innings (93 pitches).

In Game 1, Cal U scored seven runs in the top of the seventh to take a 7-6 lead before Edinboro earned the walk-off victory by tallying two runs on a bases-loaded double in the bottom of the inning.

Robblee and senior center fielder Abby Sachse (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton) both collected two hits and scored one run. Besser-Paul and Clunk combined to record five RBI in the seventh inning.

The Fighting Scots left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first before scoring four runs following a two-out error in the third inning. Edinboro scored one run in the fifth before shortstop Brittany Allen belted a solo homer to start the sixth inning, 6-0.

Wilson led off the top of the seventh with a solo homer, her first of the year, and Besser-Paul later belted a three-run homer, her third of the season, to cut the deficit to 6-4. Following a pitching change, Sachse reached on a fielding error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Corle then lined a single before Clunk later delivered a two-run double to right center with two outs. Wilson then reached on a two-base throwing error that allowed Clunk to score the go-ahead run from second.

In the bottom of the inning, the Fighting Scots opened with a double and single before a sacrifice bunt moved runners to second and third. Edinboro was then issued a walk to set up a force at any base before designated player Danna Heh delivered the game-winning, two-run double.

Senior Emilee Downing (Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits and two walks in 3.0 innings. Edinboro starter Carley Nasca (8-4) earned the victory after yielding three runs (all unearned) on six hits and five walks in 6.1 innings (95 pitches).

Cal U returns to action on Saturday, April 6, when it travels to play a doubleheader against Mercyhurst in Erie, Pennsylvania, starting at 1 p.m.