CALIFORNIA (April 21) – The California (PA) softball team swept a doubleheader against Clarion on Senior Day at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Friday afternoon, winning 6-3 in Game 1 before posting an 11-3 run-rule victory in Game 2.

With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 21-19 overall behind a 14-10 record in divisional action. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles fall to 17-21 this season with an 8-16 mark in league play.

In Game 1, Cal scored runs in three-straight innings to build a 4-1 lead before scoring twice in the sixth. Junior designated player Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) went 2-for-2 with two RBI and one run scored and junior left fielder Alyssa Rose (Madison, Ohio/Madison) finished 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two runs scored.

The Golden Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a solo homer by right fielder Rachel Helsely before the Vulcans tied the score in the bottom of the inning on a solo homer by Rose. Cal then claimed a 3-1 lead in the third inning on just two hits. Wilson started the inning and advanced to third when sophomore pitcher Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) reached base on a wild pitch. Rister later moved into scoring position on another wild pitch before sophomore second baseman Carlena Fiorilli (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) delivered a two-run single to right center.

In the fourth, Cal stretched the lead to 4-1 when Rose scored on a dropped flyball. The Vulcans added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth when sophomore catcher Shayna Postler (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) and Wilson collected back-to-back RBI doubles, 6-1. Clarion mounted a two-out rally with two runs in the top of the seventh to cut the deficit before a pop-up ended the game.

Freshman Kailey Larcinese (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) earned the victory after working 3.2 innings of relief. She allowed two runs (both earned) on four hits with zero walks while tallying four strikeouts. Rister took a no-decision after yielding one run (earned) on three hits and one walk in 3.1 innings.

In Game 2, the Vulcans earned their first run-rule victory in a month after scoring at least one run in all five innings. Sophomore shortstop Kaityln Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and four RBI and junior right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Southmoreland) finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored. Postler and Wilson both collected two hits with one RBI and one run scored, while Rister and Fiorilli each scored twice at the top of the lineup.

Cal took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first behind a two-run homer by Achtermeier, her third of the year, and an RBI single by freshman first baseman Madison Lester (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman). The Vulcans then scored four runs in the second inning to stretch the lead to 7-0. Wilson posted an RBI single before later scoring on a two-run single by Achtermeier. Fioriill then scored on a ground-out to the right side of the infield.

In the third, Clarion countered with three runs before Postler collected an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to score Rose from second, 8-3. Henderson added an RBI single in the fourth before the Vulcans forced the run-rule victory in the fifth. Cal loaded the bases with three-straight singles before Postler scored on a sacrifice fly. An infield single to the pitcher again loaded the bases before Cal scored the again on a fielder's choice to shortstop to complete the victory.

Larcinese earned her second win of the day in relief to improve to 5-5 this season. She surrendered just one hit over 2.0 scoreless innings. Rose took a no-decision in the start after allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits and three walks in 3.0-plus innings.

The Vulcans recognized seniors Izzy Farmer (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) and Kira Hillhouse (Erie, Pa./McDowell) prior to the doubleheader.

Cal returns to action on Monday, April 24, when it travels to face Gannon in Erie, Pennsylvania.