CALIFORNIA (March 22) – The Vulcans were swept in a doubleheader by Mercyhurst on Wednesday afternoon at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, suffering a 10-8 loss in Game 1 before falling 6-5 in extra innings in Game 2.
With the losses, the California (PA) softball team falls to 8-12 this season with a 1-3 mark in league play. The Vulcans were swept in a doubleheader by the Lakers for the first time since Mercyhurst joined the conference in 2009. Meanwhile, the Lakers improve to 10-8 overall and start divisional action with a 2-0 record.
In Game 1, the Vulcans held a 4-0 lead before the Lakers scored five runs in back-to-back innings. Sophomore shortstop
Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) finished 2-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored, while junior right fielder
Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) went 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore left fielder
Carlena Fiorilli (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) collected two hits and two runs scored, while freshman third baseman
Makaylia Schlosser (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) tallied two hits and one RBI.
Cal took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a three-run homer by Achtermeier, her first of the season. In the second, the Vulcans collected three-straight singles with two outs with Actermeier again registering an RBI.
Mercyhurst answered with five runs in the fourth, including back-to-back homers by third baseman Cheyenne Hindman and right fielder Allison Dejidas. The Lakers again scored five runs in the fifth behind three extra-base hits, including a two-run homer by second baseman Eliza Reynolds with two outs, to take a 10-4 lead.
The Vulcans countered with a two-out RBI double by Schlosser in the sixth before Henderson delivered a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, 10-8.
Junior
Alyssa Rose (Madison, Ohio/Madison) suffered the loss after allowing two runs (both earned). Sophomore starter
Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) took a no-decision after yielding three runs (all earned) on four hits and two walks in a combined 4.2 innings (77 pitches). Mercyhurst starter Mikaela Schramski earned the win after surrendering seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and five walks in 6.1 innings (134 pitches).
In Game 2, Cal held a 5-3 lead before Mercyhurst tied the score with two runs in the seventh and later tallied the game-winning run in the eighth. Schlosser finished 3-for-4 with one RBI and Henderson went 3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored.
The Vulcans took a 1-0 lead in the first on a two-out RBI single by Achtermeier before the Lakers scored twice with two outs in the third. Cal responded in the bottom of the inning with pair of runs on two singles and two errors to seize a 3-2 lead.
In the fourth, Mercyhurst again scored with two outs to tie the score at 3-3 before Henderson collected an RBI single in the bottom of the inning and later scored on a throwing error, 5-3. The Lakers eventually tied the score at 5-5 with two runs on three hits in the seventh. Cal had a pair of runners in scoring position in the bottom of the inning before a ground-out forced extra innings.
The Lakers benefited from a pair of errors to open the eighth inning and eventually scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly. In the bottom half, Cal had runners on first and second with one out before a fielder's choice and ground-out ended the game.
Rose (1-3) was again saddled with the loss after allowing one run (unearned) in 1.2 innings of relief. Freshman starter
Madison Lester (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) yielded four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk in 4.0 innings (68 pitches). Laker starter Morgan Hilty (4-3) was credited with the win while allowing five runs (one earned) on 12 hits in 7.0 innings (93 pitches).
Cal is set to return to action on Sunday, March 26, when it hosts Slippery Rock at Lilley Field, starting at 1 p.m.
