ERIE, Pa. (March 10) – Sophomore pitcher Ellie Lobdell (Warren, Pa./Warren) set a career high with 10 strikeouts on Wednesday afternoon, as the Vulcans split a doubleheader at Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play with a 4-1 victory in Game 1 before suffering a 3-0 loss in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team moves to 3-1 overall. Meanwhile, the Lady Knights open the campaign with a 1-3 mark after finishing first in the divisional standings from 2017-19.

In Game 1, Lobdell earned a complete-game victory to improve to 2-0 this season. She allowed one run (earned) on seven hits and two walks while tallying 10 strikeouts in 7.0 innings (125 pitches). Last year, Lobdell recorded a season-high nine strikeouts against St. Cloud State while at the PFX Spring Games.

Gannon threatened with runners on the corners in the bottom of the second before manufacturing one run in the third on a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt. In the fifth, the Vulcans responded with four runs after capitalizing on three errors to take a 4-1 lead. Freshman left fielder Jordan Pinneri (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) reached on an error to start the inning and later scored on a fielding error. Senior first baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren) delivered a two-run single before freshman second baseman Salena Jaquay (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) scored the final run of the inning on a fielder's choice.

Senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) reached base in all four plate appearances after totaling two singles and two walks from the leadoff spot.

Gannon starter Kennedy DeMatteis (0-2) suffered the loss after surrendering four runs (two earned) on five hits and six walks in 7.0 innings (124 pitches).

In Game 2, Cal U was held scoreless after being limited to a pair of hits in the contest. Freshman Kaitlyn Leary (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) was saddled with the loss in her college debut. She allowed one run (earned) on two hits and four walks in 3.0 innings (65 pitches).

The Lady Knights loaded the bases with a two-out walk in the bottom of the second before an unassisted ground-out ended the inning. Gannon started the fourth with a walk and eventually took a 1-0 lead on a ground-out with runners on the corners. The Lady Knights added to the lead with a two-out double in the fifth before adding an insurance run on an error.

Lady Knight starter Gabi Vasi earned the victory by recording a two-hit, complete-game shutout in 7.0 innings (87 pitches).

Cal U returns to action on Friday, March 12, when it hosts IUP for a doubleheader at Lilley Field, starting at 3 p.m. The Vulcans will face the Crimson Hawks in the regular season for the first time since the 2015 campaign.

NOTE: The statistics originally credited Lobdell with 11 strikeouts in Game 1; however, following review of the contest her correct total was 10 strikeouts.