JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (March 21) – The California (PA) softball team opened Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play with a split of a doubleheader at Pitt-Johnstown on Tuesday afternoon, earning a 10-2 run-rule victory in Game before suffering a 5-4 loss in Game 2.

With the split, the Vulcans move to 8-10 overall and start divisional action with a 1-1 mark. Cal was playing for the first time in two weeks while also making its season debut in Pennsylvania, as its previous games were played in Georgia and Florida. Meanwhile, the Mountain Cats stand at 5-7 this season with a 1-1 record in conference play.

In Game 1, Cal scored a combined nine runs in the second and third innings to claim its third run-rule win of the spring. Junior catcher Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored, while junior right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) belted a grand slam. Sophomore pitcher Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyurs) scored twice and drew three walks from the leadoff spot, while sophomore left fielder Carlena Fiorilli (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) also scored twice in the victory.

The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the second when Wilson scored on a throwing error after starting the inning with a single to right field. In the third, Cal added to the lead with a two-out, bases-load triple to right center by Wilson before freshman third baseman Makaylia Schlosser (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) followed with an RBI single.

Junior first baseman Shayna Postler (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) opened the top of the fourth with a with a solo homer before the Vulcans loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk. Henderson then delivered her first career grand slam to left center. UPJ avoided the shutout with back-to-back solo homers by catcher Julia Mooney and designated player Kayla Miehl with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, 10-2.

Rister earned the complete-game victory and retired 11-straight batters to open the game while improving to 5-3 this season. She allowed two runs (both earned) on just two hits and one walk while posting four strikeouts over 5.0 innings (68 pitches). UPJ starter Mia Smith (3-2) suffered the loss after yielding eight runs (seven earned) on five hits and five walks in 3.0-plus innings (84 pitches).

In Game 2, the Vulcans tied the score at 3-3 in the top of the fourth before the Mountain Cats reclaimed the lead by scoring in back-to-back innings. Fiorilli finished 3-for-4 with one RBI, while sophomore shortstop Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) and Wilson both collected a pair of hits in the loss.

Cal stranded a pair of runners in scoring position in the top of the first before UPJ took the lead with a two-run single in the bottom of the inning. The Mountain Cats added to the lead in the second with a two-out RBI double before the Vulcans answered in the third with an RBI single by Fiorilli.

In the top of the fourth, the Vulcans tied the score at 3-3 on a two-run single by senior second baseman Mackenzie Carson (Tucson, Ariz./Cienega). UPJ quickly reclaimed the lead in the bottom half with a solo homer by pitcher Tori Radvan and extended the lead to 5-3 in the fifth with a solo homer by Miehl. Cal stranded the bases loaded in the fifth before cutting the deficit in the sixth with a two-out RBI single by Achtermeier, 5-4. In the seventh, the Vulcans had the game-tying run at first base before the game ended with a caught stealing.

Freshman Madison Lester (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) was saddled with the loss after surrendering one run (earned) in 0.2 inning of relief. Junior starter Alyssa Rose (Madison, Ohio/Madison) worked a combined 3.1 innings (65 pitches) in the circle and yielded three runs (all earned) on two hits and four walks. Radvan (2-2) registered the complete-game victory, allowing four runs (three earned) on 12 hits over 7.0 innings (113 pitches).

Cal returns to action tomorrow, Wednesday, March 22, when it hosts Mercyhurst at Lilley Field, starting at 2 p.m.

Note, the Vulcans have adjusted their weekend homestand schedule due to rain in the forecast. Cal was previously set to play Mercyhurst on Friday before hosting Slippery Rock on Saturday. However, both twinbills have been altered with the doubleheader against The Rock is now set for Sunday, March 26, at 1 p.m.