CALIFORNIA (April 22) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team swept a doubleheader against Pitt-Johnstown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action while hosting Senior Day at Lilley Field on Friday afternoon, winning 5-3 in Game 1 and 2-1 in Game 2.

With the victories, the Vulcans improve to 17-8 overall behind a 7-1 mark in conference action. Cal U has now won five-straight meetings against Pitt-Johnstown and all six games at Lilley Field in the series. Meanwhile, the Mountain Cats fall to 15-16 overall with a 3-5 mark in league play.

In Game 1, the Vulcans belted three solo home runs to earn the victory. Freshman pitcher Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) went 4-for-4 with two solo homers and three runs scored from the leadoff spot. Freshman shortstop Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) finished 2-for-2 with two RBI, while senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) collected two hits and one run scored in the win.

Cal U took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Rister belted the second pitch of the at-bat to deep center field for a solo home run. The Mountain Cats took the lead in the top of the third, as they scored two runs on three hits. After a walk and a hit to begin the inning, catcher Carly Santillo recorded an RBI single through the left side before second baseman Tori Radvan tallied an RBI single up the middle, 2-1.

The Vulcans tied the score in the bottom half of the inning after singles from Rister and Wilson, Achtermeier recorded a sacrifice fly to right field, 2-2. In the fourth, Pitt-Johnstown regained the lead when right fielder Maddie Flowers led off the inning with a solo homer to left field. Cal U responded in the fifth, as Rister tallied her second home run of the game – fifth of the season – to right field, 3-3. After a double by Wilson, Achtermeier collected an RBI single to left field to give the Vulcans the lead.

The Mountain Cats threatened in the top of the sixth as a walk loaded the bases. Rister was able to record a strikeout and ground-out to end the inning. Cal U added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning, as junior Izzy Farmer (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) registered a pinch-hit home run to left field, 5-3, her first of the season.

Rister secured the complete-game victory to improve to 11-2 this season. She allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits and four walks with six strikeouts in 7.0 innings (120 pitches). Pitt-Johnstown starter Alyssa Hileman (9-7) was saddled with the loss after yielding five runs (all earned) on 10 hits in 6.0 innings (84 pitches).

In Game 2, five different Vulcans recorded a hit as Cal U rallied late to secure the doubleheader sweep. Wilson finished 2-for-3 with one one run scored, while sophomore right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) and senior second baseman Alexa Pastor (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) each finished with RBI singles.

Pitt-Johnstown took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on one hit and an error. After an error and a single, third baseman Lauren Gohacki reached on a fielder's choice that scored first baseman Julia Mooney. Starting pitcher senior Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) retired six-consecutive batters through the third and fourth innings, all via ground outs.

In the fifth, the Vulcans scored one run on three hits to tie the game. After a leadoff double by sophomore third baseman Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) and a single by Farmer, Pastor recorded an RBI single to left field, scoring Wilson, 1-1.

Cal U would take the lead in the sixth, as it scored one run on two hits. Brooke Wilson led off the inning with a single before advancing to second on a ground-out. Henderson then belted an RBI single to center field to give the Vulcans a 2-1 lead. Barron would retire the Mountain Cats in order in the top of the seventh to capture the sweep.

Barron earned the victory after allowing one run (unearned) on six hits and issued no walks in 7.0 innings (75 pitches). She registered 16 ground-outs in the victory, including five of the last seven batters she faced. Pitt-Johnstown starter Julie Shinavski recorded the loss after surrendering two runs (both earned) on six hits in 6.0 innings (89 pitches).

The Vulcans return to action on Monday, April 25, when they host Gannon for a conference doubleheader at Lilley Field, starting at 2:30 p.m.