April 19, 2003

Contact: Bob McComas (724) 738-2777 e-mail: robert.mccomas@sru.edu

ROCK SOFTBALL DROPS TWO TO CALIFORNIA

            SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – California University of Pa., the No. 2-ranked team in the NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Region, swept a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division softball doubleheader from host Slippery Rock University on Saturday, 2-1 and 5-2.

           The Rock dropped to 9-21 overall, 2-12 in PSAC-West play. California is 19-3 overall, 12-2 in PSAC-West play.

Junior right fielder Bobbi Kyler (Kylertown/West Branch HS) had two of The Rock’s five hits and its only RBI in the first game.

           Sophomore right-hander Candice Nase (Telford/Souderton HS) was the first-game losing pitcher. She fell to 3-6 on the year after she allowed two earned runs on seven hits, struck out two and walked one in a seven-inning complete-game effort.

           California pitcher Amber Riegel hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to account for the winning margin in Game 1.

           Freshman center fielder Shannon Tagliaferri (Williamsport/Loyalsock Township HS) was 3-for-3 with a double to lead an eight-hit Rock attack in Game 2. Junior third baseman Alicia Caranese (Greensburg/Central Catholic HS) and junior second baseman Jesse Gump (Greensburg/Hempfield HS) had two hits each.

           Senior right-hander Nikki Cothran (Kansas City, Kans./Sumner Academy) was the losing pitcher in Game 2. She fell to 3-6 on the year after she allowed five earned runs on 10 hits, struck out three and walked two in five innings.

           Freshman right-hander Laura Campbell (Grindstone/Geibel Catholic HS) allowed one hit and struck out one in the final two innings.

           The Rock returns to action on Monday when it will host PSAC-West rival Clarion in a 3 p.m. doubleheader.

# ROCK PRIDE #