Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University softball team fell twice to conference leader No. 22 California (Pa.) on Wednesday afternoon at Lilley Field.  Mercyhurst fell 9-1 in five innings in game one and battled through a 5-3 loss in game two.
 
The Lakers fell to 11-19 overall this season and are 5-7 in the PSAC Western Division.  Nationally ranked California (Pa.) remained undefeated in the PSAC with a record of 14-0 and hold a 21-4 record overall.
 
In game one, the Lakers suffered seven runs against in two complete innings by the Vulcans.  Senior Shelby Lia forced a Mercyhurst error to advance to second and allow her teammates to cross the plate.  Then with just one out and bases loaded Shelby Heyd drove in a three-run double to extend the 5-0 lead at the bottom of the inning.
 
California (Pa.) scored four more runs in the second and one in the third to widen the lead, 8-0.  At the top of the fourth inning, Senior Megan Smith drove a single to left field to mark the Lakers first hit of the contest.  Junior Becky Malaga and senior Courtney Smith followed suit, collecting back to back hits to drive in Megan Smith across the dish for the Lakers first run of the game with one out.  With the one-run single, Courtney Smith extended her hitting streak to a career-high nine games. 
 
Vulcans' Lindsay Reicoff drove in one run in the bottom of the fifth inning off of a double to end game one, 9-1, after five innings. 
 
Junior Annie Truelove (5-11) suffered the loss after giving up three hits for seven runs, one walk and one strikeout in two innings pitched.  Senior Colleen Griffin threw 2.1 innings, allowing four hits for two runs and collected one strikeout.
 
In game two, the Lakers suffered a 5-3 deficit despite an early 2-0 lead at the top of the first inning against the Vulcans after Courtney Smith generated back to back plays for the lead.  With two runners on, Smith put the ball in play to the shortstop to allow Megan Smith reach home plate for the first run.  The next pitch, Smith attempted to steal to draw the attention at second base and allow sophomore Allison Yule cross the dish for the second run. 
 
California (Pa.) answered back at the bottom of the first inning, scoring four runs after Shelby Lia drove a one run single to second base before Stephani Ellis hit a three run homerun to take the lead with one out. 
 
The defense on both squads remained solid until the Lakers broke through the pitching of Davis at the top of the fifth inning.  After back to back singles from sophomore Taylor Jezuit and Megan Smith, the Lakers had runners on first and second with no outs.  Yule tallied another single which advance Smith to third base and allowed Jezuit to score. 
 
With the 1-for3 appearance at the plate in game two for senior Courtney Smith, she extended her hitting streak to a career-high ten games dating back to April 2.
 
Senior Alexandra Puckly (6-6) allowed four hits in the loss throughout one inning.  Griffin made her second straight appearance at the mound, pitching five innings, allowing just three hits for one run and allowed one walk.
 
The Lakers host Slippery Rock University on Thursday, April 17 at the Mercyhurst Softball Field.  The doubleheader is a make-up that was originally scheduled for March 24.  First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.