CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Gannon women's softball team earned a crucial split with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West leader California (Pa.) Friday afternoon to remain in the playoff hunt. The Lady Knights handed the Vulcans their second conference loss of the season by an 8-6 score after falling 7-0 in the first game.

Gannon used a seven-run second inning en route to an 8-2 victory in the first game. Two walks started the rally before Kirstie Cortazzo (Jeannette, Pa. / Jeannette) advanced both with a sacrifice bunt. Sarah Rinks (Fenton, Mich. / Lake Fenton) plated the first run with a single, followed by another run off a Vulcan error. Jaleesa Sledge (Olean, N.Y. / Olean) then provided the bit hit in the inning, a three-run home run to center field that made the score 5-0.

Another California (Pa.) error and a double from Katie Killian (Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary) set up Ashley Petrone's (Uniontown, Pa. / Albert Gallatin) two-RBI single, giving Gannon a 7-0 lead.

The Vulcans cut the lead with four runs on four hits in the third inning before Gannon added it's final run in the top of the sixth with a solo shot from Rinks.

The insurance run would prove crucial as Cal scored two runs off Jillian Russell's blast to center field in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the Lady Knights' lead to two.

Erica Bartholow (Connellsville, Pa. / Connellsville Area) allowed just one baserunner in the seventh, sealing the junior's sixth win of the season. She struck out four after scattering nine hits during seven innings of work.

The first game was all California (Pa.) as the Vulcans exploded for 12 hits and seven runs against the Lady Knights. Gannon managed just two hits off Cal's pitching staff. Maria Greco threw 3 1/3 innings, striking out three and allowing two hits while Hope Spancake held Gannon hitless in the final 3 2/3 innings while also striking out three.

Gannon had runners on in both the third and fourth innings but failed to cash in on the scoring opportunities. In the third, Christy Valentino (Cheektowaga, N.Y. / Cheektowaga) led off the inning with a single and advanced to second after Sledge reached on an error. However, the Vulcan's second baseman snagged a line drive off the bat of Killian to end the inning.

Gannon again had runners on first and second in the fourth, but the Vulcans turned a double play to get out of the jam.

Gannon now holds a 20-18 overall record and finishes the season with a 7-9 PSAC-West record. California (Pa.) is 28-10 after the doubleheader split and is 12-2 in conference action.

The Lady Knights post-season fate will be determined pending the results from tomorrow's Mercyhurst-Slippery Rock doubleheader with all three teams fighting for the final two playoff spots.

Gannon concludes the 2011 season on Wednesday, April 10 with a crossover doubleheader against Clarion. The first game is slated to begin at Gannon University Field at 2:30 p.m.

For complete box scores from today's Gannon-California (Pa.) doubleheader, please click below

Gannon-California (Pa.) (Game 1)

Gannon-California (Pa.) (Game 2)