CALIFORNIA (April 26) - The Vulcans were swept by Gannon in their final home twinbill of the season on Wednesday afternoon at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, falling by a 4-0 margin in Game 1 before dropping a 13-3 run-rule contest in Game 2.
With the losses, the California (PA) softball team falls to 24-22 this season with a 17-13 mark in league play. The Vulcans and Lady Knights played the entire four-game series in a three-day span with the road team sweeping each twinbill. Meanwhile, Gannon improves to 18-24 overall behind a 17-13 record in divisional action.
In Game 1, the Vulcans were limited to just three hits - all singles - in the loss. Sophomore
Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) suffered the loss after allowing four runs (all earned) on nine hits and three walks in 6.2 innings (104 pitches). She also went 2-for-3 with one walk scored from the leadoff spot.
Gannon took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk before a fly-out stranded three runners. The Vulcans looked to answer in the second with a hit by pitch and a two-out walk before a ground-out ended the inning. In the fifth, the Lady Knights stretched the lead to 2-0 while collecting just one hit in the inning. Cal loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning before a ground-out to shortstop halted the threat. Gannon added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a solo homer by designated player Josie Spano.
In Game 2, the Lady Knights scored seven runs in the top of the second to force the run-victory. Freshman
Kailey Larcinese (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) was saddled with the loss after surrendering three runs (all earned) in just 0.1 inning.
Gannon claimed a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run homer by left fielder Abbey Girman before scoring three additional runs in the second. The Vulcans cut the deficit to 6-2 in the bottom of the third on a bases-loaded walk by sophomore shortstop
Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) and an RB single by junior left fielder
Alyssa Rose (Madison, Ohio/Madison).
In the fourth, Rister collected an RBI single to trim the deficit to 6-3 before the Lady Knights responded with seven runs behind four extra-base hits in the fifth, 13-3.
Rister finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
The Vulcans close out the regular season tomorrow, Thursday, April 27, when they travel to face Edinboro for a doubleheader at 2 p.m.
