INDIANA, Pa. (March 13) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team used a pair of four-run innings in Game 2 to claim a split of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West doubleheader at IUP on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 6-5 contest in Game 1 before posting a 14-5 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 4-2 overall with all six games in league play. Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawks also hold a 4-2 mark this season in their return to the Western Division.

Senior first baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren) went a combined 6-for-8 in the doubleheader with two doubles, one homer and seven RBI. She tied Game 1 on Saturday with a two-out solo homer in the top of the seventh. The 2017 PSAC West Freshman of the Year, Wilson is now hitting at a .545 clip and boasts a staggering .955 slugging percentage behind seven extra-base hits.

In Game 2, Wilson finished 3-for-4 with three RBI, one run scored and one walk. Freshman right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and four RBI, while freshman designated player Shayna Postler (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) finished 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, three runs scored and one walk in her first career start. Senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) scored three runs from the leadoff spot and senior shortstop Alexa Pastor (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) posted three RBI and two runs scored.

Cal U took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two-run homer by Postler before Henderson followed with a two-run homer, her second of the year, in the third inning. The Crimson Hawks responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on a homer by second baseman Kaitlyn Beers, a three-time All-PSAC Central selection, following a two-out error to trim the deficit to 4-2.

The Vulcans stretched the lead to 6-2 in the fourth on three hits and three walks. Following back-to-back singles to start the inning, Cal U scored on a sacrifice fly and wild pitch before three-straight, two-out walks loaded the bases. Paige Wilson then delivered a two-run single to left field.

In the fifth, Pastor collected a two-run single before scoring on a sacrifice fly. Paige Wilson later followed with a two-out RBI single to score Brooke Wilson from second. IUP cut the deficit to 12-5 after scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning. The Vulcans added to their lead with a two-run double by Paige Wilson with two outs in the top of the seventh.

Freshman Kaitlyn Leary (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) earned her first career victory after allowing five runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks in 6.0 innings. IUP starter Amanda Fisher suffered the loss after surrendering four runs (all earned) on five hits in 2.2 innings.

In Game 1, the Crimson Hawks took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth before Paige Wilson tied the score on a solo homer with two outs in the seventh. IUP then capitalized on an error in the bottom of the inning with a walk-off RBI single by Beers.

Paige Wilson went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and four RBI, while Brooke Wilson collected a pair of singles and scored twice in the loss.

IUP took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-out RBI single by Beers before Cal U tied the score in the fourth on a two-run double by Paige Wilson. The Crimson Hawks reclaimed the lead with a solo homer by Beers in the bottom of the inning.

The Vulcans answered with RBI singles by Brooke Wilson and Paige Wilson in the fifth before the Crimson Hawks tied the score on a two-out error. IUP took a 5-4 lead on a two-out RBI single after the initial two batters reached on a double and walk.

Sophomore Ellie Lobdell (Warren, Pa./Warren) was saddled with the loss after yielding five runs (three earned) on 10 hits in 5.2 innings. Crimson Hawk starter Hope Jones earned the win after allowing five runs (all earned) while tallying 12 strikeouts in 7.0 innings.

Cal U returns to action tomorrow, Sunday, March 14, with a home doubleheader against IUP at Lilley Field, starting at 2 p.m.