QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – The Gannon softball team saw it PSAC Tournament title hopes end on Thursday afternoon with a close 3-2 loss to California, Pa., in an elimination game in the PSAC Tournament.
 
Gannon rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning but could not overcome a two-run deficit against Cal at Veterans Park.
 
The Golden Knights were the Western Division's No. 1 seed going into the tournament after winning the PSAC West regular-season title. After a loss to Shippensburg in its tourney opener, Gannon defeated Slippery Rock 6-4 on Wednesday to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.
 
The Knights moved to 31-13 on the season and will wait to see if they make the NCAA Tournament. Gannon was seeded No. 8 in this week's NCAA Division II Atlantic Region rankings.
 
Junior first baseman Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic) had another big game for Gannon as she went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a single, and a run scored. She is now hitting a team-high .448 on the season.
 
After California took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, GU freshman outfielder Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) tied the score with a solo homer to straightaway center field in the third inning.
 
Cal (23-19) surged ahead in the fourth inning when Shayna Postler hit an RBI single, and a second run scored on a GU error.
 
Gannon scored in the sixth when Mallozzi singled and eventually scored on Gabi Vasi's (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) single. However, winning pitcher Carleigh Rister worked out of the inning and secured Cal's victory in the seventh inning to move to 14-9.
 
Gannon outhit Cal 6-4 as GU freshman pitcher Katie Armstrong (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) (6-3) allowed two earned runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking two.