QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (May 3) – Behind timely hitting and a strong relief performance by senior Portia McBride (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward), the California University of Pennsylvania softball team earned a 3-1 victory against IUP while facing elimination in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament on Wednesday evening.

With the win, the Vulcans improve to 22-16 this season and will play another elimination game tomorrow, Thursday, May 4, against Lock Haven at 10 a.m. Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawks fall to 24-9 overall after earning the third seed in the PSAC Central.

McBride improved to 9-5 this year after allowing one run (unearned) on two hits and no walks in 4.1 innings of relief (44 pitches). She retired the last 10 batters she faced after yielding one run in the fourth. Senior starter Kaity Davis (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) took a no-decision after scattering four hits over 2.2 scoreless innings (45 pitches). IUP starter Megan Risinger (10-3) suffered the loss after surrendering three runs (all earned) on seven hits in 5.2 innings (70 pitches).

IUP stranded runners on first and second in each of the initial two innings before Cal U took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Junior second baseman Kaylyn Roose (Akron, Ohio/Revere) opened with a single and advanced to second on a fielding error by an outfielder. Roose then moved to third on a two-out bunt single by sophomore left fielder Logan Blake (Jordan Station, Ontario/Bishop Ridley). Sophomore designated player Carly Konopka (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) followed with a two-run double to right center fielder, just her fifth hit of the season (25 at-bats).

In the third, the Crimson Hawks had runners on the corners with two outs before the Vulcans made a pitching change. McBride entered the circle and induced a fly-out to end the inning. IUP took advantage of a fielding error in the fourth to cut the deficit to 2-1 on a two-out RBI single. Cal U nearly countered in the bottom of the inning, as junior center fielder Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) and Blake were in scoring position with two outs before a pop-up halted the threat. Cal U later added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Roose belted a leadoff solo homer, her second of the year.

Roose finished 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two runs scored, while Blake went 2-for-3 with one run scored. The Vulcans collected three of their seven hits with two outs in the victory.

Cal U returns to action tomorrow when it faces Lock Haven, which is the second seed from the PSAC Central, at 10 a.m.

2017 PSAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, May 3
Game 1: (E3) Shippensburg d. (C3) IUP, 5-4
Game 2: (E1) West Chester d. (W3) California, 4-3
Game 3: (W2) Seton Hill d. (C2) Lock Haven, 10-2
Game 4: (C1) Bloomsburg d. (E2) Kutztown, 16-0
Game 5: (W1) Gannon d. (E3) Shippensburg, 4-2
Game 6: (C3) IUP vs. (W3) California, 6 p.m. (loser eliminated)
 
Thursday, May 4 ** SCHEDULE CHANGE
Game 7: (E3) Shippensburg vs. (E2) Kutztown, 10 a.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 8: (C2) Lock Haven vs. (W3) California, 10 a.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 9: (W2) Seton Hill vs. (E1) West Chester, 12:30 p.m.
Game 10: (C1) Bloomsburg vs. (W1) Gannon, 12:30 p.m.
Game 11: Loser of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 7, 5 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 12: Loser of Game 10 vs. Winner of Game 8, 5 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 13: Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10, 7:30 p.m.
Game 14: Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12, 7:30 p.m. (loser eliminated)
 
Saturday, May 6 ** SCHEDULE CHANGE
Game 15: Loser of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 14, TBA (loser eliminated)
Game 16: Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 15, TBA
IF necessary, Game 17:  Game 16 winner vs. Game 16 loser, TBA