ERIE, Pa. (April 25) – In their first action in nearly a month, the Vulcans split a doubleheader at Mercyhurst on Sunday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, suffering a 6-4 loss in Game 1 before claiming a 1-0 victory in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team moves to 13-5 overall and in divisional play. The Vulcans rank second in the PSAC West standings with a .722 winning percentage and sit fourth in conference wins. Meanwhile, the Lakers stand at 13-17 this season behind a 12-14 mark in league action.

In Game 2, junior Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) tossed a complete-game shutout to improve to 5-1 this season. She scattered six hits and one walk over 7.0 innings (96 pitches) while recording a career-high eight strikeouts. Barron forced Mercyhurst to strand seven runners on base, including five in scoring position.

The Vulcans left runners on second and third in the top of the first inning before Barron worked around a back-to-back singles to start the bottom half. Mercyhurst again threatened in the second with runners on second and third and one out before a strikeout and ground-out ended the inning. In the third, the Lakers led off with a triple before Barron fielded a bunt to force the runner to remain at third. Barron then registered a strikeout before a ground-out to the catcher halted the threat.

Cal U manufactured the game's lone run in the fifth inning on two singles and a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore left fielder Mackenzie Carson (Tucson, Ariz./Cienega) reached on a leadoff single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) then delivered a single up the middle to score Carson.

Barron retired 12-consecutive batters following the triple in the third. The Lakers started the bottom of the seventh with a double before a fielder's choice resulted in the runner being tagged out. Mercyhurst later had runners on first and second with two outs before another fielder's choice closed the game.

Carson finished 2-for-3 with one run scored in her second start of the year. Freshman designated player Makayla Munchinski (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) also collected pair of hits in the victory, as the Vulcans were limited to five hits.

In Game 1, the Vulcans raced out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a three-run homer by freshman third baseman Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny), her second of the year. Mercyhurst trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the second on a two-run homer by second baseman Chloe McQuestion before tying the score in the third on a sacrifice fly.

Cal U collected three-straight singles with two outs in the fourth and took a 4-3 lead on an RBI single by senior first baseman Paige Wilson (Warren, Pa./Warren). McQuestion belted her second homer of the game in the bottom of the inning to again tie the score. The Vulcans stranded a pair of runners on base in the fifth before the Lakers delivered a two-run double with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, 6-4.

Freshman right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) finished 2-for-4 with one run scored.

Freshman Kaitlyn Leary (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on four hits and two walks in 3.1 innings of relief. Sophomore starter Ellie Lobdell (Warren, Pa./Warren) took a no-decision after surrendering three runs (all earned) on six hits in 2.2 innings.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Monday, April 26, when they host Pitt-Johnstown at Lilley Field with play starting at 2:30 p.m.