CALIFORNIA (March 22) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team claimed a non-conference doubleheader split against Edinboro in its home opener on Tuesday afternoon, posting an 8-0 run-rule victory in Game 1 before suffering a 4-3 loss in Game 2 at Lilley Field.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 10-7 overall while playing its second in-region opponent of the spring. Meanwhile, the Fighting Scots stand at 2-11 this season.

In Game 1, Cal U scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to earn the run-rule victory. Freshman pitcher Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBI, two runs scored and two walks from the leadoff spot. Sophomore right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) finished 2-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored, while freshman shortstop Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers), freshman left fielder Carlena Fiorilli (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) and sophomore second baseman Salena Jaquay (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) each collected a pair of hits in the victory.

The Vulcans took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first following back-to-back sacrifice flies after loading the bases. In the second, senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) delivered a two-out RBI single before Cal U left the bases loaded in the third.

In the fifth, Henderson started the inning with a double and scored on a throwing error. Cal U then added to the lead with a sacrifice fly before Rister registered a two-run double down the left-field line. Achtermeier later forced the run-rule win with a two-out RBI single to right field.

Rister earned a complete-game shutout to improve to 6-2 this season. She scattered four hits with zero walks over 5.0 innings (69 pitches) while totaling five strikeouts. Rister allowed only one baserunner – a first-inning double – to reach scoring position in the contest. Edinboro starter Macy Sral (0-5) was saddled with the loss after yielding three runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks in 3.0 innings (57 pitches).

In Game 2, the Vulcans cut the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth inning on a solo homer by Fiorilli and later had the game-tying run in scoring position in the seventh. Fiorilli went 3-for-3 with her first career homer and Wilson finished 3-for-4 with one run scored.

Cal U took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a bases-loaded ground-out and a sacrifice fly. The Vulcans ended the top of the second by recording two outs on a sacrifice bunt as the runner was eventually tagged out by the center fielder following a lengthy rundown. Edinboro claimed the lead in the fourth on a three-run homer by shortstop Maura Pasquale, who was a 2021 All-PSAC West First-Team selection, and added an insurance run on a two-out RBI single, 4-2.

The Vulcans stranded a runner at third base in the fifth before Fiorilli posted the solo homer with two outs in the sixth.

Senior starter Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) suffered the loss to fall to 4-4 this year. She surrendered three runs (all earned) on three hits and two walks in 3.1 innings. Achtermeier logged a season-high 3.2 innings of relief in the contest, allowing one run (earned) on two hits and one walk. Edinboro sophomore Lauren Bush (1-1) earned the complete-game victory after yielding three runs (all earned) on seven hits and two walks over 7.0 innings (101 pitches).

The Vulcans continue their homestand next week on March 30 when they host Malone (Ohio) of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) at 2:30 p.m.