DAY FOUR
HUSKIES CLAIM FIRST CROWN SINCE 2010 WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS
Courtesy of Bloomsburg Sports Information
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - The Bloomsburg University softball team entered Saturday afternoon needing to beat a California Vulcan team - that had lost only two games all season - twice to claim the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship.
The Huskies did just that, earning an eight-inning, 5-4, victory in game one and then a 5-1 win in game two at Veterans Park to win the program's first PSAC title since 2010. The Huskies improved to 44-7 overall and, not only won the conference title, but clinched the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
California fell to 35-4 on the season.
MVP: Taylor Parker, Bloomsburg
Junior
Taylor Parker was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player by hitting .333 (6-of-18) with three home runs and five runs batted in. She also allowed four earned runs in 14 innings of work on the mound, which included a complete-game shutout victory in the opening game of the tournament against Millersville.
Game one was a thrilling come-from-behind victory for the Huskies. Junior
Anna McElroy forced extra innings with a one-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh and freshman
Taylor Winkelman won it with a bloop single in the bottom of the eighth as Bloomsburg forced a second, and decisive, contest with a 5-4 victory in the opener.
The Huskies trailed 4-1 entering the bottom of the sixth before beginning to chip away at the lead. Winkelman plated a run with an RBI single in the inning to cut the lead to 4-2 and then McElroy sent the game to extras with her blast in the bottom of the seventh - her first round-tripper of the season.
California started the top of the eighth with back-to-back singles against junior starter Parker, with the second hit ending her afternoon on the mound. Junior
Sarah Bortner came on in relief and promptly allowed both runners to advance to second and third after a passed ball. Bortner got an infield popout for the first out and then freshman third baseman
Marissa Shelhamer cut down a runner at the plate for the second out. Bortner then recorded her only strikeout to end the threat.
In the Huskies' half of the eighth, Shelhamer walked and senior
Valerie Carcasses bunted for a single, over a drawn-in infield, to start the inning. A wild pitch advanced both runners and Winkelman proved to be the hero with her bloop single to right, scoring Shelhamer for the game-winning run.
The Huskies got on the board with an unearned run in the bottom of the second against California starter, Taylor Robblee. McElroy led off the inning with a single to left field but was erased on a fielder's choice off the bat of freshman
Alexa Erney. Senior
Erica Keen followed with a bloop single to right field to put runners at first and second with one out. Shelhamer walked to load the bases before Robblee got a force out at the plate off the bat of Carcasses. The California hurler appeared to get out of the inning, but a bobble by the Vulcan shortstop on a grounder from Winkelman allowed Keen to cross the plate.
California answered with three runs on five hits against Parker in the top of the third. Megan Jahoda singled to right field with one out- the first hit Parker had allowed to that point. Back-to-back infield singles loaded the bases and then a game-changing call went against the Huskies. A chopper by Natalya Smarra got past first baseman
Mallory Tomashick but Carcasses, the second baseman, appeared to have a beat on it. The Vulcans' runner from first, the Huskies' bench thought, appeared to alter Carcasses' path to the ball which allowed the chopper to get into right field for a pair of runs. Bloomsburg head coach Susan Kocher argued the call and eventually filed a protest. But, after several minutes of deliberation, both the call and the protest did not end up in the Huskies' favor. The Vulcans added another run later in the inning to take a 3-1 advantage.
Bloomsburg threatened in the bottom half of the third after getting back-to-back singles from Parker and Tomaschik to lead off the frame. But, Robblee retired the next three Huskies to eliminate the threat. California took advantage in the top of the fourth, getting a solo home run from Lindsay Reicoff to lead off the frame and to extend the lead to 4-1.
Keen started the rally in the bottom of the sixth with a one-out single back up the middle and then advanced to third when Shelhamer reached on a throwing error. Carcasses grounded out to short which moved pinch-runner, sophomore
Abbey Remley, up to second with two outs, but Keen had to stay put at third. Winkelman came through with a run-scoring single that dropped in front of the Vulcan center fielder to cut the lead to 4-2. Robblee, however, retired sophomore
Emily Mayhew on a sharp grounder to second to end the inning.
Tomaschik started the seventh-inning rally with a one-out single to right field and then scored on McElroy's third career home run.
Winkelman went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in while Tomaschik, McElroy, and Keen had two hits apiece. Parker went seven innings and allowed four runs on eight hits. She walked five and struck out five. Bortner picked up the win in relief.
Game two started strong for the Vulcans when Emily Price launched a solo home run with one out in the top of the first inning against Huskies' game-two starter, Tomaschik.
The Huskies threatened in the bottom of the first as Winkelman and Mayhew started the inning with back-to-back singles. However, California starter Alex Sagl got out of the inning with no damage being done.
In the second, a walk and a single ended the day on the mound for Tomaschik. Bortner, the game one winner in relief, pulled off some magic again, this time getting out of a second and third with one-out jam as the Vulcans could not score. The Huskies fed off of Bortner's ability to work out of trouble by plating three runs in the bottom half to take a 3-1 lead.
Shelhamer doubled to left center to lead off the inning and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Keen. After a walk to sophomore
Maggie Hall, Carcasses tied the game at 1-1 on a sacrifice fly to short left. Winkelman kept the inning alive with a single and then Mayhew doubled to right center to plate Hall and Winkelman for a 3-1 lead. Mayhew was gunned down trying to stretch the hit to a triple.
After Bortner worked out of another second and third with one-out jam in the top of the third, the Huskies extended the lead to 4-1 with an unearned run in the bottom half. Parker led off the inning with a single and then advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Tomaschik. With two outs, Shelhamer hit a fly ball to left field that was dropped, allowing Parker to score from second.
Bloomsburg added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Carcasses drove home a run with an RBI single to left center to give the Huskies a 5-1 lead.
Bortner allowed a one-out double in the top of the seventh but left the runner stranded at third when Keen caught the final out in center field to clinch the title.
The junior righthander was sensational, throwing six shutout innings to earn her second win of the day in relief. She allowed only two hits, walked three, and struck out three. At the dish, Winkelman, Mayhew, and Shelhamer paced the Huskies with two hits apiece.
The Huskies will learn of their NCAA posteseason opponent and destination when the NCAA selection show is aired on Monday, May 2, at 10:00 a.m.
DAY THREE
LOCK HAVEN DEFEATS MILLERSVILLE, 5-2
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - After giving up a run to Millersville in the first inning, LHU was able to score five straight times and eliminate the Marauders from the PSAC Tournament with a 5-2 victory.
Bekah Slattery pitched a complete game for the Bald Eagles, allowing just one earned run. Slattery helped her own cause in the fourth, singling up the middle and driving home a run.
Jodi Weaknecht and Faith Ceely also drove in runs for LHU, while Michelle Holweger started the offensive onslaught, homering in the second inning.
KUTZTOWN DEFEATS GANNON, 10-5
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - In spectacular fashion, the Golden Bears rallied to defeat the Lady Knights, scoring 10 unanswered runs after trailing 5-0 in the fourth and winning 10-5.
In the bottom of the fourth, KU chipped away at the lead with three RBI singles. In the sixth, trailing 5-3, Kutztown exploded with a seven-run inning.
A solo homer by Sara Keeny put the Golden Bears down just a run, and a grand slam from Danielle Amato put KU comfortably in front.
CALIFORNIA DEFEATS BLOOMSBURG, 9-6
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - California needed a walk-off to win in the first game of the tournament, and in the final game before the championship game, the Vulcans would again need a comeback. This time, scoring two runs in the seventh before winning in extra innings, defeating Bloomsburg 9-6.
Natalya Smarra drove the winning run for the defending champions from Cal U, hitting a three-run homer in the eighth inning to sink Bloomsburg.
The Huskies were hurt by their defense in the game, committing five errors. Only three of the nine runs for California were earned.
LOCK HAVEN DEFEATS KUTZTOWN, 5-3
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - After trailing 3-0 in the fifth inning, LHU was able to once again mount a comeback and earn its second come from behind victory for the day, defeating Kutztown 5-3 on a walk-off home run from Moriah Lindsey.
Lindsey’s first career home run came with the game tied in the seventh inning. Down to her final strike, Lindsey went deep to left field, securing LHU’s spot as one of only three teams remaining in contention for the conference crown.
Bekah Slattery got the win in the circle for LHU, coming in in relief and allowing just one hit in four innings of work.
BLOOMSBURG DEFEATS LOCK HAVEN, 3-2
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - Bloomsburg scored three runs in the first four innings, and that would prove to be all the scoring necessary as the Huskies never trailed in their 3-2 victory over Lock Haven, securing a spot in the PSAC Softball Championship Game.
Marissa Shelhamer and Taylor Parker each hit a home run for BU in the win, and Mallory Tomaschik got the win.
Bloomsburg will square off with California again in Sunday’s PSAC Championship Game. If California wins the contest, scheduled for a noon start, the Vulcans would win their third start PSAC Championship. If Bloomsburg wins, it would force a winner take all matchup immediately following the first contest.
DAY TWO
MILLERSVILLE DEFEATS WEST CHESTER, 3-2
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - The PSAC East Champions fell to their divisional foe Millersville, 3-2, in the PSAC Tournament on Friday morning.
It was a back and forth game, with Millersville taking its first lead on a two-run home run by Megan McCurdy in the second inning.
After West Chester tied things up in the top of the fifth, Millersville reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a Kelsey Campbell double.
Brianna Andraos again got the win for the Marauders, pitching all seven innings.
KUTZTOWN DEFEATS IUP, 3-2
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - Kutztown kept its tournament alive with a 3-2 win over IUP on the morning of the second day of the PSAC Softball Championship.
For the second straight day, Danielle Sienko hit a home run for the Golden Bears. Her two-run shot gave KU a 2-0 lead in the opening frame.
IUP would tie it up in the second, as Lauren Goetz had two RBIs on a single through the left side.
Kutztown would clinch the victory on a home run in the sixth from Bridget Newman. Newman’s blast would give KU a one-run lead that would be enough to carry them to the win.
BLOOMSBURG DEFEATS GANNON, 3-0
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - For the second time in two games, Bloomsburg earned a shutout victory, defeating Gannon 3-0 and remaining in the winners’ bracket.
Mallory Tomashick tossed the complete game for the Huskies, allowing just three hits and striking out 10.
Taylor Parker, who threw yesterday’s shutout, helped out at the plate, hitting a solo home run in the third inning.
Emily Mayhew and Taylor Winkelman also had RBIs for BU.
CALIFORNIA DEFEATS LOCK HAVEN, 7-2
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - The defending PSAC champions defeated Lock Haven, 7-2, and remained undefeated in the PSAC Softball Championship.
Alex Sagl, the three-time PSAC West Pitcher of the Year, started the game before being relieved by Meghan Uher, who went on to earn the win. Taylor Roblee got the save, and the three of them combined to only allow four hits.
California got all the runs it would need in the first inning, scoring five times in the opening frame. Lindsay Reicoff capped off the inning with a two-run home run.
DAY ONE
MILLERSVILLE DEFEATS SLIPPERY ROCK, 4-2
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - Despite giving up twice as many hits as they recorded, the Millersville Marauders won their first ever PSAC Softball Championship contest, defeated The Rock, 4-2.
All runs in the game were scored in the first inning, highlighted by Millersville’s Kelsey Campbell’s three-run home run.
Brianna Andraos picked up the win, pitching all seven innings and giving up just a pair of runs.
Millersville was patient at the plate, drawing seven walks.
CALIFORNIA DEFEATS IUP, 4-3
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - The two-time defending conference champions trailed with just three outs to play, but were able to pull out the victory in the final half inning over the Crimson Hawks by the final score of 4-3.
Megan Jahoda, who had an RBI single earlier in the game, led off the home half of the seventh with a home run to centerfield, evening the score.
Later in the inning, Jacquelyn Fowler had the game-winning hit, scoring Emily Price.
Meghan Uher, who was the PSAC’s Western Division’s Pitcher of the Week this week, earned the win, pitching one perfect inning of relief.
LOCK HAVEN DEFEATS KUTZTOWN, 4-3
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - The Bald Eagles scored a pair of runs to break the 2-2 tie and go on to win by the final of 4-3.
LHU trailed early, but scored four straight runs. McKenna Garlock hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the fourth.
Freshman Bekah Slattery continued her impressive debut season, earning the win in the circle.
Becca Caputo was 2-for-3 with two RBIs in her first career postseason game.
GANNON DEFEATS WEST CHESTER, 3-1
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - The Golden Knights pulled an upset over the top-seeded Golden Rams, defeating WCU, 3-1.
WCU came into the game ranked 12th in the country.
Gannon used a pair of home runs in the fifth inning to take a 3-0 lead that would prove to be more than enough scoring to earn the victory. Alexa Archambeault kicked off the scoring with a solo shot, and Allie Salerno followed up with a two-run homer later in the inning.
Olivia Gumbita earned the win, pitching a complete game and allowing just one run.
BLOOMSBURG DEFEATS MILLERSVILLE, 1-0
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - A leadoff home run from Taylor Winkleman would be all the run support that Taylor Parker needed, throwing a complete game shutout and earning the 1-0 win from Bloomsburg.
Parker allowed just two hits over the course of seven innings, allowing no extra-base hits, and striking out six.
Winkelman went 2-for-2 in the game, but no hit was bigger than the lone run scored, as she led off the bottom half of the opening frame with a home run.
Brianna Andraos, who picked up the win earlier in the day for the Marauders, suffered the loss.
IUP DEFEATS SLIPPERY ROCK, 2-1
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - IUP was able to stay alive with a win over Slippery Rock, eliminating The Rock for the PSAC Championship with a 2-1 win.
Amanda Parrish had a solo home run to kick off the scoring for the Crimson Hawks.
Amanda Sumlak would tie things up for Slippery Rock with an RBI double in the fifth.
Unfortunately for SRU, IUP would take the lead back in the top of the sixth and never relinquish the advantage. Mackenna Miller had the game-winning single.
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The field for the 2016 PSAC Softball Championship has been set. The preseason favorites in each division lived up to their billing, as California (West), Bloomsburg (Central), and West Chester (East) all earned number one seeds.
The Vulcans are looking for their third straight PSAC Championship, after previously lacking a conference crown since the 2000 season. Senior Alex Sagl leads the Vulcans in the circle, compiling an 88-14 career record, including a 14-2 mark this season. Sagl has had an ERA below 1.60 all four years of her stellar career and has been named the PSAC West Pitcher of the Year the previous three seasons. Emily Price, last year’s PSAC West Freshman of the Year, leads the league in on-base percentage, reaching at a clip of .512.
West Chester won its third straight PSAC East Championship this year, and the Golden Rams are looking for some redemption in the conference tournament. Despite back-to-back divisional titles, WCU did not make the title game in either 2014 or 2015. The Golden Rams will be relying on their pitching in the tournament, as they return last year’s PSAC East Pitcher of the Year in Amanda Houck, in addition to fielding the pitcher with the lowest ERA (1.06) in the PSAC this season: Brooke Harner.
Bloomsburg took the top prize in the newly created central division. The Huskies were favored to win and proved to be as dominant as predicted, amassing a 19-1 conference record entering postseason play. Taylor Parker has been impressive for the Huskies at the plate and in the circle this season. Parker, a 2015 First Team All-PSAC East Pitcher and the 2014 PSAC East Freshman of the Year, is hitting .390 this year and has an ERA of 1.77. Parker’s ERA puts her 11th in the conference, while teammates Sarah Bortner (1.14) and Mallory Tomaschik (1.54) rank 2nd and 7th, respectively.
Gannon earned the second seed in the PSAC West, while Slippery Rock is the third seed. For Gannon, it is the sixth straight apperance in the tournament, while The Rock is making its first PSAC Tournament since 2009.
Kutztown and Millersville will represent the PSAC East in the tournament, with Kutztown sweeping Millersville on the final day of the regular season to earn the second seed. Sara Keeny is among the conference’s leaders in batting average this season, hitting .428 for the Golden Bears. This will be the first ever softball conference tournament appearance for the Marauders.
Lock Haven and IUP round out the tournament field, representing the PSAC Central. The Bald Eagles are led by freshman pitcher Bekah Slattery, who is second in the league in innings pitched (171.2). IUP’s Hannah Mercer ranks in the top five in the league in hits, doubles, and triples.
Action starts in Quakertown this Wednesday, April 27, at noon.