CALIFORNIA (April 7) – The California (PA) softball team was swept in a doubleheader by Gannon, both losses by run-rule, at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action on Sunday afternoon, falling by a 10-1 margin in Game 1 and a 13-4 count in Game 2.
RECORD/SERIES
• The Vulcans fall to 9-10 overall behind a 7-4 record in league play.
• The Golden Knights improve to 11-9 overall with a 6-4 mark in divisional action.
• Cal has lost eight of the last 11 meetings in the series with Gannon dating back to the 2021 campaign.
GAME 1
STATS
• Junior third baseman
Kaitlyn Achtermeier collected both of the team's hits and scored one run.
• Junior starting pitcher
Caleigh Rister (5-5) suffered the loss after surrendering eight runs (all earned) on seven hits and four walks in 2.0 innings (67 pitches).
• Sophomore
Megan Nidoh logged a career-high 3.0 innings (42 pitches) and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with zero walks.
ACTION
• The Golden Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first after starting the game with three-straight singles before three-consecutive walks.
• Gannon added to the lead in the second with a two-run homer by shortstop
Alaina Whipkey before first baseman Natalia Mallozzi belted a three-run homer with two outs, 8-0.
• The Golden Knights scored a run in the fourth after capitalizing on a pair of errors before the Vulcans posted a run on a bases-load walk in the bottom of the inning.
• Gannon tallied its final run of the game on a double-steal in the top of the fifth.
• Golden Knight starting pitcher Maggie Lenda (6-2) earned the victory after yielding one run (earned) on two hits and five walks in 5.0 innings (99 pitches).
GAME 2
STATS
• Sophomore right fielder
Mikayla Linkous posted two hits and one run scored from the No. 9 spot in the lineup.
• Senior second baseman
Jordan Pinneri reached base three times (single, two walk) and registered one RBI.
• Senior starting pitcher
Alyssa Rose (4-5) was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) while being limited to 0.1 inning as a precaution following a comebacker.
• The Vulcans used four different pitchers in the contest with Rister and Achtermeier combining for 5.1 innings of relief (151 pitches).
ACTION
• Gannon took a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind a two-run homer by Mallozzi before Cal scored on a two-RBI single by sophomore designated player
Makaylia Schlosser in the bottom half.
• The Golden Knights again scored three runs in the second, highlighted by a two-run homer from right fielder Emma Smerick
• Cal posted an RBI single by Pinneri in the third before Gannon scored twice in the fourth to take an 8-2 lead.
• The Golden Knights erupted for five runs – all with two outs – in the top of the sixth behind a three-run double by second baseman Jules Ryan, 13-3.
• Gannon starting pitcher Jessica Westmiller (1-1) earned the complete-game victory after yielding four runs (all earned) on seven hits and four walks in 6.0 innings (103 pitches).
NEXT
• The Vulcans return to action on Tuesday, April 9, when they travel to face Pitt-Johnstown for a doubleheader in PSAC West action, starting at 2:30 p.m.
