CALIFORNIA (March 28) - The Vulcans posted a split of a twinbill against IUP on Tuesday afternoon at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, claiming a 2-0 victory in Game 1 before suffering a 4-2 loss in Game 2.
With the split, the California (PA) softball team stands at 10-14 this season with a 3-5 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawks hold an 11-12 overall record behind a 2-4 record in divisional action.
In Game 1, sophomore pitcher
Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) tossed a one-hit, complete-game shutout to improve to 6-3 this season. She allowed just two total base runners over 7.0 scoreless innings (92 pitches) while registering six strikeouts. IUP starter Amanda Fischer suffered the loss after yielding two runs (both earned) on three hits and one walk in 2.0 innings.
Cal took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Rister scored on a sacrifice fly after reaching on a triple to left center. The Vulcans added to the lead in the third on a solo homer by junior right fielder
Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland), her third of the season, to start the inning, 2-0. Sophomore third baseman
Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) later collected a two-out double in the inning and advanced to third on a wild pitch before a fly-out ended the third.
In the fourth, the Crimson Hawks opened the inning with a single and the runner advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and fly-out. Rister then induced another fly-out to strand the runner in scoring position. Cal threatened in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runners in scoring position before a fly-out to right center ended the inning.
Rister went 2-for-3 with one run scored and Achtermeier also collected a pair of hits.
In Game 2, the Vulcans held a 2-1 lead before the Crimson Hawks scored three runs in the top of the seventh after the inning started with three-straight hits. Junior
Alyssa Rose (Madison, Ohio/Madison) was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on four hits in 5.0 innings of relief (76 pitches) while setting a season high with eight strikeouts. IUP freshman Tori Long (3-2) earned the win after surrendering one run (earned) on three hits and four walks in 7.0 innings (100 pitches).
Cal took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by junior designated player
Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) after Rister started the inning with a double. However, the Vulcans stranded the bases loaded with adding to the lead. The Crimson Hawks tied the score in the second on a sacrifice fly before leaving a runner at third base in the third inning.
The Vulcans reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out RBI single by junior catcher
Shayna Postler (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park), 2-1. IUP countered with a double and single to start the seventh inning before Jaycee Haidze delivered a two-run, go-ahead double. Haidze later scored on a throwing error after advancing to third on fly-out to increase the lead to 4-2.
Cal was held to five hits in the contest with sophomore left fielder
Carlena Fiorilli (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) reaching base three times (double, two walks).
The Vulcans return to action on Friday, March 31, when they travel to face Clarion in PSAC West play, starting at 2 p.m.
