QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – Shepherd University (18-18) recorded a 4-3 triumph over California (Pa.) (22-12) in the late game in first day action of the PSAC Softball Tournament action at Veterans Park in Quakertown, Pa. on Wednesday evening. The Rams posted an 11-3 win over IUP in five innings in the earlier game. 

Cal took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI-double by Kaitlyn Achtermeier. 

Graduate student infielder Leann Brown (Hume, Va./Fauquier) smacked a three-run double in the fifth to give the Rams a 3-1 advantage. 

Shepherd added a run in the sixth as senior first baseman Tori Seymour (Winchester, Va./Sherando) walked and was replaced by sophomore pinch-runner Elizabeth Padiotis (Aldie, Va./John Champe). Padiotis later scored when junior outfielder Kylie Condon (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) reached on an error. 

The Vulcans got a pair of runs in the seventh on an RBI-single by Mackenzie Carson and a sacrifice fly by Carlena Fiorilli. Cal had runners on second and third with two outs, but junior pitcher Katie Laing (Jefferson, Md./Brunswick) got Brooke Wilson to pop up to end the game. 

Senior third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) and graduate student shortstop Ashley Burger (Hedgesville, W.Va./Spring Mills) each had a pair of hits for the Rams.

Sophomore pitcher Hannah Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 K, 3 BB) (6-8) earned the win. Laing (0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 K, 0 BB) earned the save. Caleigh Rister (7.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 K, 2 BB) (13-3) took the loss. 

The Rams return to action on Thursday when they take on Mercyhurst at 12:30 p.m. in second day action of the PSAC Tournament.