Andrea Watson takes a swing against Edinboro.
Bryce Dolak
4
Winner Gannon GAN-S 17-24, 15-14 Psac-W
0
California (PA) CAL-S 24-21, 17-12 Psac-W
Winner
Gannon GAN-S
17-24, 15-14 Psac-W
4
Final
0
California (PA) CAL-S
24-21, 17-12 Psac-W
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Gannon GAN-S 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 9 1
California (PA) CAL-S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

W: Lenda, Maggie (9-8) L: Caleigh Rister (11-7)

13
Winner Gannon GAN-S 18-24, 17-13 PSAC-W
3
California (PA) CAL-S 24-22, 17-13 PSAC-W
Winner
Gannon GAN-S
18-24, 17-13 PSAC-W
13
Final
3
California (PA) CAL-S
24-22, 17-13 PSAC-W
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Gannon GAN-S 3 3 0 0 7 13 16 0
California (PA) CAL-S 0 0 2 1 0 3 5 2

W: Lenda, Maggie (10-8) L: Kailey Larcinese (6-6)

Game Recap: Softball | | Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Golden Knights Sweep Vulcans to Boost PSAC Playoff Resume'

CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Two days ago California (Pa.) came into McConnell Family Stadium and swept Gannon in a softball doubleheader. On Wednesday the Golden Knights returned the favor, and in the process greatly helped their chances of making the PSAC Tournament. Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) tossed a three-hitter in the opener for a 4-0 victory, and then came back in the nightcap to earn the win in relief as Gannon exploded for a 13-3 win.

To say the PSAC playoff picture is jumbled is an understatement. Five teams are within two wins of each other with the regular season ending this weekend. Wednesday's sweep leaves Gannon at 18-24 overall but 17-13 in the PSAC West, which is currently tied with Cal for fourth place in the division. After Seton Hill (19-7), Mercyhurst is 17-11 and Slippery Rock 16-12. Indiana (Pa.) is presently on the outside looking in at 15-13, but all of the teams have doubleheaders remaining.

After playing their fourth doubleheader in four days the Golden Knights will have a chance to catch their breath before closing the regular season hosting crosstown-rival Mercyhurst on Saturday, April 29. The twinbill was originally scheduled for 11:00 a.m. but a more favorable weather forecast later in the day forced a flip with women's lacrosse. They will now play at 11:00 a.m. and the softball will follow at approximately 2:30 p.m. Gannon split its earlier doubleheader at Mercyhurst on April 8, winning the opener 8-2 before falling in the nightcap 12-2.

GAME 1 – Gannon 4, California (Pa.) 0
Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) allowed just three hits, all singles, while shutting down a Cal attack that had beaten her 8-3 on Monday. The sophomore pitched around five walks but struck out seven while allowing just one runner to reach third. The Golden Knights gave her a quick 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first as Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City) walked with the bases loaded and two outs to drive in Andrea Watson (Venus, Pa./Cranberry Area), who opened the game with a base hit. The lead grew to 2-0 in the fifth with Watson again the catalyst. The senior walked to lead off the inning, moved up on a sacrifice and wild pitch, and scored when freshman Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) singled with two outs. Spano gave Lenda a bigger cushion in the top of the seventh, driving a pitch over the fence down the left field line for her fourth home run. Watson was 3-for-3 and scored three runs, while Spano was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

GAME 2 – Gannon 13, California (Pa.) 3 (5 innings)
Gannon jumped to an early 6-0 lead with three runs in the first and second innings. The Vulcans cut the lead in half after four innings at 6-3, but Gannon sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the top of the fifth courtesy of eight hits. Abbey Girman (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) accounted for the game's first three runs as the sophomore outfielder hit a three-run homer down the right field line, her 11th of the season and fourth in the last nine games. That is tied for fourth in records dating back to 2000. Three more runs scored in the top of the second, beginning with an RBI single by Lily Gfeller (Livonia, N.Y./Livonia). Andrea Watson (Venus, Pa./Cranberry Area) and Girman added RBI singles. Seven of Gannon's first eight hitters produced hits in the fifth inning. Lea Coffman (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) started the deluge with an RBI single. Watson added another run-scoring base hit, and the next three batters had extra base hits. Jules Ryan's (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) double plated two runs, Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) had an RBI triple, and Girman followed with an RBI double to drive in her fifth run of the game. Freshman Jessica Westmiller (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East) started her third game of the season and pitched into the third inning before head coach Michelle Wiley called on Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) in relief. Lenda allowed just one run over the final 2.2 innings and struck out four to improve to 10-8 with her second win of the day. Gannon's 16-hit attack featured six players with multiple hits. Watson ended the doubleheader ended the doubleheader at 6-for-7 as she was 3-for-4 in the nightcap with two runs and two RBIs. Girman was also 3-for-4 and drove in five runs for the third time this season. Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City), Ryan, Coffman, and Gfeller also had two hits with Ryan driving in two runs.     
 
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