ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon softball team split a PSAC West doubleheader against California (Pa.) on Friday afternoon at McConnell Family Stadium.
With the split, the Golden Knights moved to 11-13 overall and 6-6 in PSAC West play.
California (Pa.) took the opener 8-3 before Gannon responded with a 4-2 win in game two.
THE GAME FACTS – GAME ONE
- Final Score: California (Pa.) 8, Gannon 3
- Records: Gannon (10-13, 5-6 PSAC West), California (Pa.) (10-17, 5-4 PSAC West)
- Location: McConnell Family Stadium – Erie, Pa.
Gannon broke through in the fourth inning, scoring three runs to take a 3-2 lead.
Emily Spears (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) singled and moved into scoring position, while
Sadie Carroll (North Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) and
Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) helped set the table.
Kloie Troutman (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria) delivered the big swing with a two-RBI double to give the Golden Knights the advantage.
California (Pa.) answered with a five-run fifth inning to swing momentum and added two more runs in the seventh.
Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) doubled, Spears recorded two hits, and Troutman drove in two runs to lead the offense.
THE KNIGHT CAP – GAME ONE
- Fourth-Inning Surge: Gannon scored three runs in the fourth to take its only lead of the game.
- Troutman Produces: Kloie Troutman (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria) recorded two RBIs with a key double.
- Spears Sets the Tone: Emily Spears (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) finished with two hits and a run scored.
- Middle-Inning Swing: California (Pa.) used a five-run fifth inning to take control.
THE GAME FACTS – GAME TWO
- Final Score: Gannon 4, California (Pa.) 2
- Records: Gannon (11-13, 6-6 PSAC West), California (Pa.) (10-18, 5-5 PSAC West)
Gannon opened the scoring in the third inning, as
Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) reached, stole second, and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly from
Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong).
The Golden Knights added three more runs in the fifth inning.
Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City) sparked the rally, followed by hits from Smerick and Clontz. Clontz delivered an RBI single, and
Sadie Carroll (North Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) added an RBI double to extend the lead.
Makenzie Wade (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) earned the win in the circle, firing four strikeouts across 5.1 innings.
Miranda Biles (Hartstown, Pa./Jamestown Area) came on in relief and added two strikeouts to help secure the win.
THE KNIGHT CAP – GAME TWO
- Smerick Makes History: Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) recorded her 72nd career stolen base, tying the program record set by Laura Kitchen (1999–02).
- Fifth-Inning Separation: Gannon used a three-run fifth inning to take control.
- Wade Strong in the Circle: Makenzie Wade (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) struck out four across 5.1 innings to earn the win.
- Biles in Relief: Miranda Biles (Hartstown, Pa./Jamestown Area) added two strikeouts in relief to close it out.
- Clontz & Carroll Deliver: Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) and Sadie Carroll (North Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) each drove in key runs during the fifth-inning rally.
UP NEXT
Gannon will host Point Park on Wednesday, April 8, with first pitch of the doubleheader set for 3:00 p.m. inside McConnell Family Stadium.
This story was written using the support of AI.