CALIFORNIA (April 7) – The California (PA) softball team swept its first doubleheader of the season on Friday afternoon against Edinboro in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, winning 7-2 in Game 1 before claiming a 6-2 victory in Game 2.

With the sweep, the Vulcans improve to 14-16 overall behind a 7-7 record in divisional action. Cal was playing its first home games in 10 days. Meanwhile, the Fighting Scots fall to 9-15 this season with a 3-9 mark in league play

In Game 1, Cal scored three runs in both the second and third innings to take a 6-2 lead. Sophomore Caleigh Rister (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) earned the complete-game victory to improve to 7-5 this spring. She allowed two runs (both earned) on two hits – both in the third inning – and three walks with five strikeouts over 7.0 innings (111 pitches). Edinboro starter Lauren Bush (2-7) suffered the loss after surrendering six runs (five earned) on six hits in 2.1 innings pitched (64 pitches).

Rister worked around back-to-back fielding errors in the top of the first, as Edinboro stranded a pair of runners in scoring position. The Vulcans also stranded multiple runners on base in the first inning before taking a 3-0 lead in the second. Cal mounted a two-out rally with junior catcher Shayna Postler (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) reaching on an infield single before Rister belted a three-run homer to right field, her first longball of the season.

The Fighting Scots answered with a pair of runs in the third on a bases-loaded single before the next two batters grounded out. Cal responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning to seize a 6-2 lead. Sophomore shortstop Kaitlyn Achtermeier (Gilford, Ontario/Bill Crothers) opened the inning with a double to right center before a muffed throw and a fielder's choice loaded the bases. Freshman first baseman Madison Lester (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) then drew a full-count walk and another run scored on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Postler followed with an RBI double to left center before a bases-loaded double play ended the inning. Cal added to the lead in the fourth with another bases-loaded walk by Lester before the inning ended with the bases loaded.

Achtermeier finished the game 3-for-4 with two run scored, while Postler went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Junior left fielder Alyssa Rose (Madison, Ohio/Madison) tallied a pair of hits and one run scored and Lester finished with two RBI while drawing three walks.

In Game 2, Cal held a 2-1 lead before scoring three runs in the fifth inning. Rose won her third-consecutive start to improve to 4-5 this year. She yielded two runs (both earned) on four hits while recording seven strikeouts over 7.0 innings (109 pitches). Over her last four pitching appearances, Rose has tallied 25 strikeouts in 26.0 innings pitched and posted a 1.88 ERA.

The Fighting Scots took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly before Rose retired Edinboro in order on strikeouts in the second. Cal responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning despite hitting just one ball out of the infield. Junior right fielder Charity Henderson (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) started the inning with a single up the middle and Rose reached on a bunt single to the pitcher. Lester then placed a bunt toward the shortstop position that allowed Henderson to score from second due to the movement of the Edinboro players. Rose later scored on a ground-out following a sacrifice bunt.

Cal added three insurance runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 5-1. Postler led off with a single and then scored from first on a double to left center by sophomore second baseman Carlena Fiorilli (Mount Vernon, Ohio/Mount Vernon). Junior left fielder Britney Wilson (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) followed with an RBI single through the middle and later scored on a ground-out after a double by Achtermeier.

In the sixth, Edinboro scored on a two-out double before Cal countered in the bottom of the inning. Lester started the inning with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball before scoring on a ground-out to the left side.

Lester went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored, while Postler finished 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored. Rister drew a pair of walks from the leadoff spot in the batting order.

The Vulcans return to action on Tuesday, April 11, when they host Pitt-Johnstown for a PSAC West doubleheader at Lilley Field, starting at 2:30 p.m.