ERIE, Pa. – The No. 7 California (Pa.) softball team used a late-inning rally and an early-game explosion to sweep a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division doubleheader against Gannon Saturday afternoon at a sunny Gannon University Field. The Vulcans swept the regular-season finale for both programs by scores of 3-1 and 6-2.
California (Pa.), ranked seventh in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) national rankings and first in the NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings, had already clinched the PSAC West regular-season title. Gannon finished the regular season tied with Mercyhurst for second place, but will enter next week's PSAC Tournament as the West's third seed after losing the tiebreaker. The Lakers earned the tiebreaker win by defeating first-place Cal earlier in the season.
Gannon dented the scoreboard right away in the opener. After two quick outs,
Kirstie Cortazzo (Jeannette, Pa./Jeannette) singled to left field. She moved to third on an
Alyssa Bates (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) single to center and scored on
Alexa Archambeault's (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) infield single.
It initially appeared that would be all
Megan Dragon (Ashtabula, Ohio/Edgewood) would need. The right-hander spun a no-hitter through 4 1/3 innings on Senior Day until Shelby Heyd singled up the middle.
Cal rallied an inning later in the sixth. The Vulcans moved runners to second and third with two outs, before Shelby Lia scored the tying run on a passed ball. Alex Sagl followed with an RBI single that pushed the visitors in front 2-1. The Vulcans added an insurance run in the seventh on Brenna Morris' RBI double.
Gannon brought the tying run to the plate after a two-out walk in the bottom of the seventh, but Cal starting pitcher Alex Sagl ended the contest with a fly-out.
Archambeault recorded two of Gannon's four hits during the opener. Dragon dropped to 12-5, allowing two earned runs on six hits. The senior struck out six and walked two while recording her 13th complete game of the season.
In the nightcap, California (Pa.) took control early with a four spot during the top of the first inning. The first five Vulcans to the plate recorded a hit during the first-inning eruption. The visitors extended their lead to 6-0 with single runs during the third and fourth innings.
Gannon finally got on the board when
Sarah Rinks (Fenton, Mich./Lake Fenton) drilled a two-run bomb out of the park to left field. The shot came after
Katie Dunn (Troy, Mich./Troy) had opened the fifth inning with a single. However, Cal's Haley Bashada recovered to retire nine of the last 12 hitters to secure a 6-2 victory.
Bates had a team-high two hits during the nightcap.
Jess Rectenwald (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) tossed four scoreless innings of relief without allowing a hit.
Gannon, ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings, concluded the regular season with a 22-11 overall record and 7-9 PSAC Western Division mark. California (Pa.), improved to 32-2 overall and 15-1 in conference action.
Head coach
Tom Jakubowski's club will be making its third consecutive PSAC Tournament appearance next week. The Lady Knights battle the Central Division's third seed Bloomsburg during their first game Wednesday, May 1 at Veteran's Park in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Game time is scheduled for 10 a.m.
