INDIANA, Pa. (April 23) – The Vulcans held the Crimson Hawks to a combined two runs, as they swept a doubleheader at IUP in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Saturday afternoon by posting a 4-0 win in Game 1 and a 5-2 victory in Game 2.

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 19-8 overall behind a 9-1 mark in conference action. The Vulcans currently sit atop the PSAC West standings with a .900 winning percentage in league play. Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawks stand at 15-15 this season with a 7-5 record in league action.

In Game 1, six different Vulcans registered at least one hit as Cal U scored two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to earn the shutout victory. Junior center fielder Mackenzie Carson (Tucson, Ariz./Cienega) finished 2-for-3 with one RBI, one run scored and one walk, while senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) and freshman shortstop Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) each collected an RBI base hit.

In the sixth, the Vulcans scored two runs on two hits to break the scoreless tie. Carson drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Wilson doubled down the left-field line to score Carson. Achtermeier then recorded an RBI single up the middle to extend the lead, 2-0. The Vulcans stretched their lead in the top of the seventh as sophomore left fielder Delaney Girvin (Masontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin) and freshman pitcher Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) reached based on a single and hit by pitch, respectively. Carson then tallied an RBI single to right field to score Girvin before Rister later scored on a wild pitch, 4-0.

Rister captured the complete-game victory to improve to 12-2 this season. She allowed three hits and one walk with three strikeouts in 7.0 scoreless innings. IUP starter Bella Bucy was saddled with the loss after surrendering four runs (all earned) on seven hits in 7.0 innings.

In Game 2, the Vulcans scored four runs in the first inning and sophomore third baseman Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) and Carson combined for six hits to help Cal U complete the doubleheader sweep. Britney Wilson finished 3-for-4 with a triple and one run scored, while Carson collected three singles and one run scored. Achtermeier finished with a pair of RBI and freshman first baseman Shayna Postler (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) collected a two-run double.

Cal U scored four runs on four hits in the top of the first. Brooke Wilson scored on a ground-out and Carson later scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 2-0. After a walk and a single by Britney Wilson, Postler belted a two-run double to right field with two outs to stretch the lead, 4-0.  The Crimson Hawks trimmed the deficit in the bottom half with a two-out RBI single. In the second, Cal U answered with an RBI single to right field by Achtermeier after the inning started with a hit by pitch. The Crimson Hawks again cut the deficit in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single, 5-2.

Senior Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) earned the complete-game victory after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings. IUP starter Elizabeth Kasper was dealt the loss after surrendering four runs (all earned) on four hits in just 0.2 inning. Amanda Fischer yielded one run (earned) on five hits and two strikeouts in 6.1 innings of relief for the Crimson Hawks.

The Vulcans return to action on Monday, April 25, when they resume their suspended doubleheader against Gannon at Lilley Field, starting at 2:30 p.m.