SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (March 30) – Sophomore
Ellie Lobdell (Warren, Pa./Warren) tossed a complete-game shutout in Game 1 on Tuesday afternoon, as the California University of Pennsylvania softball team split a doubleheader at Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, winning 4-0 in Game 1 before suffering a 4-0 loss in Game 2.
With the split, the Vulcans move to 12-4 overall and sit second in the divisional standings at the midway point of the regular season. Meanwhile, The Rock stands at 2-10 this season.
In Game 1, Lobdell tied her career high with 10 strikeouts and scattered five hits and two walks over 7.0 scoreless innings (146 pitches). She forced Slippery Rock to leave eight runners on base in the victory, including seven in scoring position. Lobdell improved to 4-1 this season while making her 10th appearance.
Cal U took a 1-0 lead in the top of first on a ground-out after senior catcher
Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) started the game with a double. The Rock threatened with runners on second and third in the bottom of the inning before a pop-up ended the inning. The Vulcans added to the lead in the sixth with a pair of runs on a single by freshman center fielder
Alyssa Young (Enon Valley, Pa./Mohawk), 3-0.
Slippery Rock looked to mount a two-out rally in the sixth with runners on second and third before Lobdell ended the threat with a strikeout. Cal U manufactured an insurance run in the seventh when freshman left fielder
Jordan Pinneri (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) scored on a sacrifice fly by Wilson.
Wilson finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
In Game 2, the score remained scoreless until Slippery Rock scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Junior
Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) suffered the loss after yielding four runs (one earned) on six hits in 2.2 innings of relief. Freshman
Kaitlyn Leary (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) took a no-decision in the start after scattering four hits and four walks in 3.1 scoreless innings.
Slippery Rock loaded the bases in the bottom of the third without recording a hit before a fly-out ended the inning. The Vulcans then stranded the bases loaded in the top of fourth following a pair of errors and a walk. In the bottom of the inning, The Rock again loaded the bases before a force out at home and fly-out ended the threat.
In the sixth, Slippery Rock started the inning with a double and an error on a sacrifice bunt allowed the runner to score. The Rock would score three more runs before the Vulcans recorded the last out of the inning at the plate. Cal U managed to load the bases in the top of the seventh on three hit by pitches before a line-out closed the contest.
The teams combined to leave 24 runners on base in Game 2 with the Vulcans stranding seven of 12 runners in scoring position.
Cal U returns on action on Friday, April 2, when it travels to face Edinboro for a doubleheader at 2:30 p.m.
