CALIFORNIA, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst softball team split a PSAC West doubleheader with California on Tuesday to earn a split in the four-game series with the Vulcans. 

The Lakers blanked Cal in the opener 6-0 and then fell 8-7 in the back half of the twin bill. 

In game one, Mercyhurst took advantage of a Cal miscue on a Natalie Graff grounder to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. 

The Lakers extended their lead in the fourth. Josey Moorhead led off with a double and Chloe McQuestion worked a walk. Brianne Egelston doubled home both runners to make it 3-0. Egelston moved to third on an Anna O'Geen groundout and scored on a Cheyenne Hindman double. Hindman would come around to score on a groundout and an error to make it 5-0 after four. 

Mercyhurst tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Sarah Koscho doubled home Hindman. 

Egleston and Hindman each finished the game with three hits each. Mikaela Schramski pitched the shutout tying her season-high with 10 strikeouts. 

In game two, the Lakers trailed 3-1 after four innings. The Lakers loaded the bases with one out in the fifth and Moorhead singled home Allison Dejidas. McQuestion followed with an RBI single to tie the game 3-3. O'Geen gave the Lakers the lead with a single to plate Jessica Clark. Hindman unloaded the bases with a double to give Mercyhurst a 7-3 advantage. 

Cal responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame and three more in the sixth to reclaim the lead and hold on for the doubleheader split. 

Dejidas and McQuestion each collected three hits in game two while Hindman had a pair of hits and three RBI. 

Kaitlin Hoffner took the loss in the circle allowing three runs, two earned in an inning of work. 

The Lakers close out the regular season with a four-game set with Slippery Rock. Merychurst will host the Rock on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Softball Field.