HICKORY, N.C. (March 6) – The California (PA) softball team was dealt a pair of run-rule losses in a doubleheader sweep at Lenoir-Rhyne (NC) on Friday afternoon while opening its spring trip, falling 8-0 in Game 1 before being downed 11-0 in Game 2.
NOTES
• The Vulcans (2-4) started a stretch of 14 games over 10 days in four different states.
• The Bears (13-5), which have won back-to-back South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Championships, extended their winning streak to 10 games.
• Cal last faced a current member of the SAC in 2014 when it played UVa-Wise in Salem, Virginia.
GAME 1
• LR limited the Cal to four hits and earned the run-rule victory behind five runs in the third inning.
• The Vulcans left the bases loaded in the top of the third before the Bears scored five runs on six hits, two walks and one error in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a two-run homer by left fielder Kaylan Brown.
• LR scored on a triple in the fourth and forced the run-rule win with two runs on one hit, three walks and a hit by pitch in the sixth.
• Freshman
Autumn Bielecki (1-2) was saddled with the loss after surrendering five runs (all earned) on six hits and three walks in 2.2 innings.
• Senior shortstop
Jenna Hollerich reached on a single and a walk from the leadoff spot.
GAME 2
• The Bears raced out to six runs in the bottom of the first and limited the Vulcans to three hits.
• LR took a 6-0 lead in the first on seven hits, including a two-run homer by right fielder Erin Lookabill.
• The Bears added a run in the second before scoring four runs in the third behind a three-run homer by shortstop Sage Young.
• Cal later managed to load the bases in the fourth after the leadoff batter reached on a fielding error.
• Senior starting pitcher
Cheyenne Beayon (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing six runs (all earned) on seven hits and one walk in 1.0 inning.
NEXT
• The Vulcans continue their trip tomorrow, Saturday, March 7, with a doubleheader at Newberry in South Carolina at 1 p.m.
