CALIFORNIA (April 13) – Highlighted by a walk-off homer from freshman
Kirra Davis, the Vulcans overcame an eight-run deficit to claim a doubleheader split against league-leading Slippery Rock on Sunday afternoon at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, posting a 15-13 victory in Game 1 before dropping a 19-4 contest in Game 2.
NOTES
• The California (PA) softball team (9-27, 6-10) earned their second walk-off win of the season.
• The Vulcans delivered their first walk-off homer since the 2022 campaign, also on April 13.
• Cal used four different pitchers in the doubleheader with three pitchers appearing in both games.
GAME 1
• Davis belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh after The Rock tied the score in the top of the inning.
• Senior
Brianna Sersevic, who split time at center field and second base, posted two hits, three RBI, three runs scored and two walks.
• Junior catcher
Bailee Bertani tallied two hits, including a two-run homer, and three runs scored, while junior shortstop
Jenna Hollerich finished with two hits, one RBI and two runs scored.
• Junior right fielder
Mikayla Linkous reached base four times (three walks, single) and scored twice, while senior left fielder
Carlena Fiorilli drew four walks and scored two runs.
• The Rock held a 10-4 lead midway through the third inning before the Vulcans scored five runs in the bottom half.
• Cal took an 11-10 lead in the fourth on a two-run homer by Bertani, her first of the year, before Slippery Rock countered with two runs in the fifth inning.
• Freshman
Makayla Jerin and senior
Kaitlyn Achtermeier delivered back-to-back RBI doubles in the bottom of the fifth, 13-12.
• The Rock tied the score in the top of seventh on a fielder's choice and temporarily claimed a 15-13 lead on a two-run double, which was negated due to an illegal substitution.
• Hollerich reached on a one-out triple in the bottom of the inning before Davis delivered the walk-off homer – her third homer of the spring.
• Senior
Taylor Babcock (4-6) earned the victory after allowing three runs (all earned) on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 4.1 innings of relief (77 pitches).
GAME 2
• Slippery Rock held an 8-4 lead before scoring 11 runs in the top of the seventh inning.
• Junior starting pitcher
Megan Nidoh (1-6) suffered the loss after yielding five runs (all earned) on five hits in 2.0 innings.
• The Vulcans held a 1-0 lead before The Rock scored three runs in both the second and third innings.
• Cal cut the deficit to 6-4 with back-to-back RBI singles by Hollerich and Davis in the bottom of the third.
• Sersevic drew three walks in the losing effort.
NEXT
• The Vulcans return to the diamond on Tuesday, April 15, when they host Pitt-Johnstown for a doubleheader at Lilley Field in PSAC West action.
