CLARION, Pa. (April 3) – The California (PA) softball team earned a doubleheader split at Clarion in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Monday afternoon, dropping a 5-1 contest in Game 1 before posting a 6-2 win in Game 2.
With the split, the Vulcans improve to 11-15 overall behind a 4-6 record in divisional action. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles stand at 12-10 this season with a 3-5 mark in league play.
In Game 2, Cal raced out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first to earn the win. Junior
Alyssa Rose (Madison, Ohio/Madison) registered the complete-game victory to improve to 2-5 this year. She allowed two runs (both earned) on five hits and three walks over 7.0 innings while tallying four strikeouts.
The Vulcans had runners on second and third with two outs in the first before scoring three runs on an infield single by Rose. The runner at third scored with ease as the Clarion second baseman made a diving stop, while the runner at second touched home after scoring on a rundown between third and home. Rose advanced to third during the rundown and scored after the Golden Eagles left the plate vacant. Clarion cut the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of the first on a two-out RBI single before leaving the bases loaded.
In the third, Cal stretched the lead to 4-1 on an RBI single by Rose to score junior right fielder
Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) from second. The Vulcans again added to the lead in the top of the sixth with a solo homer by sophomore designated player
Rylee Evans (Perryopolis, Pa./Frazier), 4-1. Cal scored an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI double by sophomore third baseman
Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) that plated Wilson from first. The Golden Eagles countered with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
Rose collected two hits and two RBI, while freshman shortstop
Makaylia Schlosser (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon) also added a pair of hits. Wilson scored twice in the victory after reaching on a single and walk.
In Game 1, the Golden Eagles broke a 1-1 tie by scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore
Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) suffered the loss to fall to 6-4 this spring. She surrendered five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 3.1 innings pitched. Freshman
Kailey Larcinese (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) registered five strikeouts while working 2.2 innings of scoreless relief without allowing a hit.
Cal mounted a two-out threat in the first with a single and walk before a fly-out ended the inning. The Vulcans again threated in the second with a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs before a pop-out closed the inning. Clarion claimed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second after manufacturing one run on three singles and a sacrifice bunt. In the third, the Vulcans responded by tying the score on a sacrifice fly after Wilson reached on a triple to right center. Rister ended the bottom of the inning with a strikeout to force the Golden Eagles to strand runners on second and third.
In the fourth, Clarion retook the lead on a two-run single with the bases loaded and one out. The Golden Eagles extended the advantage to 5-1 later in the inning on a bases-load walk following a pitching change and a fielding error. The Vulcans looked to counter with runners on first and second in the top of the fifth before the next two batters were retired in order. In the seventh, Cal collected back-to-back hits and had runners on the corners before the game ended with a foul-out.
Wilson went 3-for-3 with one run scored and one walk, while Rose added a pair of hits.
The Vulcans continue their road trip tomorrow, Tuesday, April 4, when they play a doubleheader against defending-NCAA Atlantic Regional Champion Seton Hill in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, at 2:30 p.m.
