GREENSBURG, Pa. (April 7) – The Vulcans earned a neutral-site doubleheader split against IUP on Monday morning in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, suffering an 11-1 run-rule loss in Game 1 before rallying for a 7-5 victory in Game 2.
NOTES
• The California (PA) softball team (8-24, 5-7) has split its last 10 games dating back to March 21.
• The doubleheader was played at the Seton Hill Softball Complex, which features artificial turf surface everywhere except the circle, due to field issues at both IUP and Cal.
• Senior left fielder
Carlena Fiorilli collected a combined four hits, three runs scored and one walk.
GAME 1
• The Crimson Hawks posted an 11-1 victory in five innings after scoring at least three runs in three separate innings.
• IUP jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first, including a two-run homer by catcher Reagan Rand.
• The Crimson Hawks added three runs in the third after capitalizing on a pair of errors before scoring four runs on four hits in the fourth inning.
• Cal avoided the shutout in the top of the fifth when Fiorilli and senior center fielder
Brianna Sersevic collected back-to-back doubles with two outs.
• Fiorilli and Sersevic both finished with two hits, as the Vulcans were limited to five hits in the contest.
• Junior starting pitcher
Cheyenne Beayon (3-9) suffered the loss after surrendering seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in 3.0 innings (60 pitches).
GAME 2
• Freshman designated player
Amarah McCutcheon posted three hits, including a three-run homer, and five RBI.
• Fiorilli registered two hits, two runs scored and one walk from the leadoff spot.
• Senior second baseman
Kaitlyn Achtermeier and freshman third baseman
Makayla Jerin both added two hits in the victory.
• The Vulcans took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, highlighted by the homer by McCutcheon – her sixth of the year.
• IUP answered with two runs in the bottom half before scoring three runs in the second to take a 5-4 lead.
• Cal countered with a two-run double by McCutcheon with two outs in the fourth inning.
• The Vulcans added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh.
• Senior
Taylor Babcock (3-6) registered the victory after scattering four hits over 5.1 innings (73 pitches) of scoreless relief.
NEXT
• The Vulcans are scheduled to return to action on Wednesday, April 9, with a doubleheader against Seton Hill at Lilley Field, starting at 2:30 p.m.
