SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (April 28) – The Vulcans split a doubleheader at Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Thursday afternoon, winning 2-1 in extra innings before suffering a 5-3 loss in Game 2.

With the split, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team stands at 21-10 overall behind an 11-3 record in divisional action. The Vulcans hold a one-game lead for first place in the PSAC West standings entering the final weekend of the regular season. Meanwhile, The Rock moves to 14-19-1 this season with a 3-9 mark in league play.

In Game 1, the Vulcans scored the game-winning run in extra innings on a wild pitch. Sophomore third baseman Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) went 2-for-4 with one RBI, while freshman shortstop Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) reached base three times (walk, error, double).

Cal U left the bases loaded in the second before stranding runners on the corners in the third inning. Senior Kelsey Barron (La Salle, Mich./St. Mary Catholic Central) retired the first nine batters for The Rock in order before issuing a leadoff walk in the fourth.

Achtermeier started the top of the sixth with a double before Wilson collected an RBI single, 1-0. Slippery Rock responded in the bottom of the inning with three-straight, two-out singles to tie the score at 1-1. The Vulcans threatened in the top of the seventh with runners on first and second with one out before a strikeout and ground-out ended the inning.

Barron earned the complete-game victory to improve to 9-5 this season. She allowed one run (earned) on seven hits over 8.0 innings (117 pitches) with five strikeouts. Rock starter Kelsi Anderson (8-7) suffered the loss after yielding two runs (both earned) on seven hits and four walks while registering 12 strikeouts in 8.0 innings (191 pitches).

In Game 2, Slippery Rock scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Vulcans cut the deficit to 5-3 in the top of the seventh before leaving the bases loaded.

Senior catcher Brooke Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) went 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored from the leadoff spot. Sophomore first baseman Shayna Postler (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) finished 2-for-3 with one RBI.

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the third when Brooke Wilson scored on a passed ball before The Rock countered with back-to-back, two-run singles with two outs in the fourth inning. Cal U trimmed the deficit to 4-2 in the sixth on a two-out RBI double by Postler before Slippery Rock responded with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning, 5-2.

In the seventh, senior Alexa Pastor (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) reached on a fielding error before scoring on a double by Brooke Wilson. Junior center fielder Mackenzie Carson (Tucson, Ariz./Cienega) followed with a single before The Rock made a pitching change. The next two batters were retired in order before a walk loaded the bases, which advanced the tying run into scoring position. However, an unassisted ground-out to third base ended the game.

Junior Ellie Lobdell (Warren, Pa./Warren) was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs (one earned) on seven hits in 6.0 innings (107 pitches) while posting six strikeouts.

The Vulcans close out the regular season on Saturday, April 30, with a PSAC West doubleheader at Edinboro, starting at 1 p.m.