Video Highlights

THE RUNDOWN
Game One Score: Gannon 10, Saint Augustine's 2 (5 inn.)
Records: GU (29-16) | SAU (22-15)
Game One Box Score
Game Two Score: No. 21 California (Pa.) 13, Gannon 4 (5 inn.)
Records: CAL (37-11) | GU (29-16)
Game Two Box Score
Location: Lilley Field | California, Pa.
The Short Story: The fifth-seeded Gannon softball team's run at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Sub-Regional at Lilley Field came to an end Saturday. Facing elimination, the Lady Knights earned a 10-2 five-inning victory over eighth-seed Saint Augustine's to open the day. Later on, the Lady Knights dropped a 13-4 five-inning loss to 21st nationally-ranked and top-seed California (Pa.). The Lady Knights made their first appearance at the national tournament since 2007 and first trip as a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) member.
 
GAME ONE SCORE: Gannon 10, Saint Augustine's 2 (5 inn.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Trailing eighth-seed Saint Augustine's by two runs heading into the bottom of the first, fifth-seed Gannon answered with four runs to erase the Falcons' lead. After scoring on a SAU's error at third, the Lady Knights tacked on two more runs off a two-RBI double in the right-center gap by senior Meghan Cunha (Geneva, Ohio / Edgewood). Capitalizing on the Falcons' second error of the inning, the Lady Knights pushed their lead to 4-2 with Cunha beating the throw at home.
- The Lady Knights added a run in the third on a single by junior Alexa Archambeault (Horseheads, N.Y. / Horseheads) with Cunha scoring her second of three runs in the game for a 5-2 Lady Knight lead.
- The Lady Knights erupted for five runs in the bottom of the fifth to earn the walk-off 10-2 win on the eight-run mercy rule. With one out on the board, GU loaded the bases. An RBI-single by junior Rachel deGuia (Canal Fulton, Ohio / Northwest) through the left side tallied the first run for a 6-2 lead. Freshman Katie Eckelberry (Uniontown, Ohio / North Canton Hoover) drove in a pair of runs with a shot down the left-field line for an 8-2 lead. Senior Jess Rectenwald (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills) connected on an RBI-base hit to score deGuia to bring the Lady Knights' advantage to 9-2.
- Junior Alyssa Bates (Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield) sealed the win in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI-single to short with the ball taking an awkward bounce. Occupying third, Eckelberry took off for home to hand the Lady Knights a 10-2 victory over the Falcons.
 
GAME NOTES
- Archambeault went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with one run scored. Rectenwald produced three hits and an RBI. Cunha registered two RBIs and three runs in the win.
- Rectenwald, Cunha and freshman Jackie Martinez (Phoenix, Ariz. / Xavier College Prep) each collected a double.
- Gannon held a 15-5 advantage at the plate. The Lady Knights' 15 hits were the team's second-highest total this season.
- Rectenwald (13-6) pitched five innings, striking out five batters. She allowed one earned run off five hits.
 
GAME TWO SCORE: No. 21 California (Pa.) 13, Gannon 4 (5 inn.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Gannon earned an early 2-0 lead over top-seed and 21st nationally-ranked California (Pa.) in the top of the first. Facing two outs, redshirt senior Katie Dunn (Clarkston, Mich. / Troy) belted her fourth home run of the season over the left-center wall to take the two-run lead. Dunn drove in Bates on the two-RBI blast.
- California (Pa.) struck back in the bottom half of the inning with four runs to double up on the Lady Knights, 4-2. Following an RBI-single up the middle, Jacquelyn Fowler drilled a three-run shot to center, erasing the Lady Knights' lead.
- A scoreless second inning, left the Vulcans in the lead, 4-2. Freshman Allie Salerno (Hamburg, N.Y. / Hamburg) reached base on a leadoff single to right field to open the third. Next up, Rectenwald drilled the first pitch she saw to deep left-center for her fourth home run of the season, tying the game at 4-4.
- The Lady Knights had a chance to break the knotted contest in the top of the fourth with the bases loaded. After three pitching changes, starter Alex Sagl re-entered the game to shut down the Lady Knights' chance of taking the lead with a strikeout and a forced ground out.
- The Vulcans managed to take the momentum into the bottom of the inning, erupting for nine runs to take a 13-4 lead over the Lady Knights before holding on for the win.
 
GAME NOTES
- Eight of nine Gannon starters recorded at least one hit. Rectenwald and Dunn each posted two RBIs.
- The Vulcans outhit the Lady Knights, 14-8, with Cal collecting four extra-base hits including three doubles and a home run.
- Sophomore starter Olivia Gumbita (Latrobe, Pa. / Greater Latrobe) (13-6) recorded the loss in 3 1/3 innings of work. Gumbita finished with one strikeout, allowing 11 earned runs on 12 hits. Junior Alison Benz (Orchard Park, N.Y. / Mount Mercy Academy) entered in relief for 2/3 of an inning, surrendering two earned runs off two hits.
 
BEYOND THE BOX
- Gannon received votes in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Top 25 Poll and California (Pa.) is ranked 21st.
- The Lady Knights earned its first appearance in the national tournament since 2007 and first trip as a PSAC member.
- GU and California (Pa.) squared off for the eighth time this season. The Lady Knights faced Saint Augustine's for the first time in program history.