CALIFORNIA (April 25) – The California University of Pennsylvania softball team resumed its suspended doubleheader against Gannon from April 11 on Monday afternoon and posted a split in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action at Lilley Field, winning 7-2 in Game 1 before falling 5-2 in Game 2.
With the split, the Vulcans move to 20-9 this season with a 10-2 mark in league play. Cal U finished the regular season with an 8-2 home record while playing its second year at renovated Lilley Field. Meanwhile, the Lady Knights stand at 18-12 overall behind a 10-4 record in divisional action.
Cal U and Gannon resumed play in the third inning with the Vulcans
holding a 2-1 lead. Senior
Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic) started in the circle on Monday and earned the victory while allowing one run (earned) on nine hits over 5.0 innings (68 pitches). Gannon senior Kennedy DeMatteis suffered the loss after yielding seven runs (five earned) on six hits and seven walks in 6.0 innings (138 pitches).
In the fourth, freshman shortstop
Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) posted a two-out RBI single before sophomore right fielder
Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) followed with a two-run homer, her second of the year, to extend the lead to 5-1. Gannon then loaded the bases to open the top of the fifth before scoring on a sacrifice fly. Barron later fielded a comebacker and started a double play to end the inning.
The Vulcans countered with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth to stretch the lead to 7-2. Sophomore left fielder
Delaney Girvin (Masontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin) reached on a two-base throwing error to start the inning before scoring on a bases-loaded walk. Junior center fielder
Mackenzie Carson (Tucson, Ariz./Cienega) then scored on a fielder's choice to second base.
Cal U and Gannon both stranded 11 runners on base in Game 1, including a combined 17 in scoring position.
In Game 2, the Vulcans loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh before suffering a 5-2 loss. Senior catcher
Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) went 2-for-4 with one run scored from the leadoff spot. She now leads the team with 12 multi-hit games this season.
Gannon took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before Cal U recorded a double play at the plate and first followed by a strikeout. The Vulcans tied the score in the bottom of the inning when Carson scored on a bases-loaded ground-out. In the third, the Lady Knights took a 2-1 lead on a two-out RBI single before leaving the bases loaded.
In the fifth, Gannon stretched the lead to 5-1 on back-to-back RBI singles and a bases-loaded walk. Achtermeier then entered the circle in flurry of defensive changes and recorded a strikeout and line-out to end the inning. The Vulcans answered in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double by Achtermeier.
Cal U threatened in the seventh with the bases loaded before a strikeout ended the game.
Junior
Ellie Lobdell (Warren, Pa./Warren) was saddled with the loss in her second start of the year, surrendering five runs (all earned) on 11 hits and three walks in 4.1 innings (110 pitches). Achtermeier worked 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, retiring all eight batters she faced.
The Vulcans return to action on Wednesday, April 27, when they travel to face Slippery Rock for a doubleheader at 2:30 p.m.
