ERIE, Pa. (April 15) – The Vulcans claimed a doubleheader split at Mercyhurst on Friday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, rallying to a 6-5 victory in Game 1 before suffering a 6-3 loss in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team sits at 15-8 overall behind a 5-1 mark in conference action. The Vulcans had their five-game winning streak snapped as it was longest active streak in the PSAC West. Meanwhile, the Lakers sit at 20-11 this season with a 3-5 record in league play.

In Game 1, the Vulcans rallied in the top of the seventh to regain the lead and capture the conference victory. Senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, two RBI, two runs scored and two walks. Sophomore right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) finished 2-for-4 with one run, while freshman Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers), sophomore Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, West Allegheny) and junior Izzy Farmer (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) each recorded one hit and one RBI in the victory.

In the top of the seventh, the Vulcans scored two runs on three hits as Brooke Wilson led off the inning with a solo homer to left center - her second of the season – to tie the score, 5-5. After a double by Henderson, Farmer collected a pinch-hit RBI single to right field to give Cal U a 6-5 lead. Freshman pitcher Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) retired the Lakers in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory.

The Vulcans took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on one hit and two errors. After a hit by pitch and a throwing error, Brooke Wilson reached on a fielder's choice which scored Rister. Achtermeier then recorded a sacrifice fly before Britney Wilson belted an RBI single, 3-0.

Cal U extended its lead in the fifth after back-to-back walks and a single loaded the bases. Britney Wilson reached on a fielder's choice as Achtermeier scored on a throwing error, 4-0. Mercyhurst rallied in the fifth as it scored five runs on five hits in the bottom half of the inning to take a 5-4 lead.

Rister earned the complete-game victory to improve to 10-2 this season. She allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 7.0 innings (101 pitches). Mercyhurst starter Mikaela Schramski was saddled with the loss after yielding six runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks in 7.0 innings (114 pitches).

In Game 2, Cal U trailed 2-1 before the Lakers scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to record the win. Junior center fielder Mackenzie Carson (Tucson, Arizona/Cienega) finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Brooke Wilson collected two hits and one RBI. Freshman left fielder Carlena Fiorilli (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) went 2-for-4 with one stolen base.

Mercyhurst took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first as it recorded two runs on three hits. After a hit and a walk to begin the inning, right fielder Allison Dejidas registered an RBI single before center fielder Sarah Kosocho recorded an RBI ground-out, 2-0. Cal U trimmed the deficit in the third, as Carson began the inning with a single before Rister tallied an RBI double to left field, 2-1. The Lakers recorded four runs on three hits to extend their lead, 6-1. Marisa Cartellone collected an RBI single before a bases-loaded walk and a ground-out stretched the lead, 5-1. Left fielder Kacie Irwin pushed the Mercyhurst lead to 6-1 on an RBI single.

Cal U threatened in the top of the seventh as it scored two runs on two hits and one error. Carson singled to begin the inning before scoring on a throwing error. Brooke Wilson belted an RBI double to left center to trim the lead, 6-3. The Vulcans had the tying run at the plate before consecutive ground-outs ended the game.

Senior Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs (all earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts in 4.0 innings (76 pitches). Laker starter Morgan Hilty secured the win after allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits in 6.1 innings (106 pitches).

Cal U continues PSAC West play when it resumes its suspended doubleheader against Gannon on Wednesday, April 20, at Lilley Field, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Note, the Vulcans postponed their doubleheader at Slippery Rock scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, April 16, due to inclement weather in the forecast. Additionally, Cal U has canceled its non-conference twinbell set for Tuesday, April 19, at Ohio Dominican due to the need to reschedule mandated PSAC West contests.