CALIFORNIA (March 9) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team debuted renovated Lilley Field in impressive fashion on Tuesday afternoon by opening the season with a pair of run-rule victories against Gannon, earning an 8-0 victory in Game 1 and a 10-2 win in Game 2.

The Vulcans begin the campaign with a 2-0 mark, as all of their contests this spring are scheduled against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West members. Cal U played at Lilley Field for the first time since April 30, 2017 – a span of 1,409 days. Meanwhile, the Lady Knights sit at 0-2 to start the year after being selected the preseason PSAC West favorite in the coaches' poll.

In Game 1, sophomore Ellie Lobdell (Warren, Pa./Warren) surrendered just one hit and zero walks while tallying five strikeouts over 5.0 scoreless innings (49 pitches). She allowed a base runner in the top of first on a hit by pitch before retiring 12 consecutive batters until yielding a one-out single in the fifth.

The Vulcans capitalized on an error to start the bottom of the first with senior first baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren) lining a two-run double to right center. Freshman center fielder Alyssa Young (Enon Valley, Pa./Mohawk) later registered a two-run homer in her first collegiate at-bat to stretch the lead to 4-0.

In the third, Cal U seized momentum following a two-out error with a two-run homer by freshman right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland). The Vulcans forced the run-rule victory with RBI singles by senior shortstop Alexa Pastor (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) and freshman second baseman Salena Jaquay (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) in the bottom of the fifth.

Wilson went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one RBI, while senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) tallied a pair of hits and one run scored. Henderson and freshman left fielder Jordan Pinneri (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) each scored twice in the victory.

Gannon starter Kennedy DeMatteis (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing six runs (all unearned) on six hits in 3.0 innings (78 pitches).

In Game 2, the Vulcans took advantage of a fielding error in the third to score six runs on six hits. Cal U took a 1-0 lead in the inning on a RBI double by Paige Wilson before freshman third baseman Makayla Munchinski (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) reached on a walk. The Lady Knights then committed a fielding error that allowed Paige Wilson to score from second. Freshman designated player Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) followed with a two-run single before Pinneri and freshman pinch hitter Shayna Postler (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) both collected RBI singles.

Cal U extended the lead to 8-0 in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run double by Young before Gannon made a pitching change. The Lady Knight answered with a pair of runs in the fifth before the Vulcans sealed the run-rule victory with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Brooke Wilson lined a RBI double to right center before Jaquay scored the final run on a wild pitch.

Junior Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) yielded two runs (both earned) on three hits and two walks in 5.0 innings (74 pitches). Lady Knight starter Gabi Vasi was saddled with the loss after surrendering eight runs (three earned) on 11 hits in 3.1 innings (90 pitches).

Paige Wilson finished 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. She tallied a combined four doubles, three RBI and three runs scored on Tuesday. Young went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored and Brooke Wilson tallied two hits, one RBI and one run scored.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Wednesday, March 10, when they travel to face Gannon in Erie, Pennsylvania, for a doubleheader at 2:30 p.m.