California (Pa.) 7, Mercyhurst 0
California (Pa.) 6, Mercyhurst 3


CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College softball team fell twice at division-leading California Tuesday, April 13, as the Vulcans built their winning streak to 15 games. Cal U downed Mercyhurst, 7-0 in game one before winning the second contest by a 6-3 score.

Mercyhurst is now 19-21 on the season, with a 5-7 record in PSAC West play, while Cal improves to 26-9 overall, 11-1 in divisional competition. The Vulcans have clinched at least a share of first place in the division with four games to go.

The Vulcans got on the scoreboard early in the first game, with two runs on an Alyson Johnson home run in the first inning. Mercyhurst was held to two hits, getting limited scoring opportunities. Cal added one run in the fourth and one in the sixth, and a Jillian Russell home run in the sixth capped a three-run inning, giving the Vulcans a 7-0 victory.

Lauren Shaheen allowed one hit over six and one-thirds innings to earn the win, while Sonia Petrosoniak yielded one hit in two-third of an inning. Kristi Janoske (10-13) drew the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits. Cal hit three home runs during the first game.

Michelle Schmitz and Jen Bower batted 1-for-3 in the opener.

The Lakers got off to a good start in game two, carrying a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning. After the Lakers threatened in the first inning, they took a 1-0 advantage on a sacrifice fly by Kara Gorgos in the top of the second inning. Amanda Norman held the Vulcan batters in check early, allowing two hits over the first three innings. In the top of the fourth, Amber Rapose and Anna Glomb hit back-to-back solo homers, building the Mercyhurst lead to 3-0.

The Vulcans pulled to within one at 3-2 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Mercyhurst maintained their one-run lead until the Cal's half of the sixth, when the Vulcans plated four runners. Cal got a runner on base with one out, and Megan Hopton entered the circle for the Lakers. The Vulcans countered with a two-RBI single and a two-run homer, taking a 6-3 lead, which served as the final score.

Norman allowed three runs on nine hits in six innings pitched, while Hopton fell to 2-1 on the season, giving up three runs on three hits. Maria Greco earned the win for Cal, going the distance while allowing three runs on eight hits.

Rapose went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Glomb and Andrea Sauers batted 2-for-3. 

The Lakers will next play at Slippery Rock Wednesday, April 14 in a PSAC West doubleheader, beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the SRU Softball Complex. Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock are tied for third place in the division with 5-7 records in PSAC West play.