briefs
Cal drops 2
in tourney
The California University softball team closed play at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic on Sunday morning by playing a pair of perennial national programs, suffering a 7-1 loss to UIndy and a 6-0 loss to No. 3 North Georgia.
Cal fell to 0-6 overall after playing schools from four different conferences while in Florida this weekend. The Vulcans played six teams at the event that combined for 214 victories last year, highlighted by three programs that advanced to the 2018 NCAA Regionals.
In the first game on Sunday, Cal and UIndy were tied at 1-1 through five innings before the Greyhounds scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth. UIndy starter Halie Waters earned the victory after yielding one run (earned) on three hits with 11 strikeouts in 6.0 innings (93 pitches). Sophomore Hannah Clunk was saddled with the loss after being roughed up for six runs (five earned) in 1.1 innings of relief. Senior starter Taylor Robblee took a no-decision after allowing one run (unearned) on three hits in 4.1 innings.
UIndy opened the bottom of the second with a single and the runner advanced to third on a steal and ground-out before Robblee fielded a comebacker to end the inning. The Greyhounds took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a two-out RBI single and the inning ended with the runner being tagged out at second after trying to advance on the throw home. Cal U then tied the score in the top of the fifth when junior left fielder Sierra Besser-Paul belted a solo homer to open the inning.
Clunk forced the Greyhounds to leave runners on first and second in the bottom of the fifth before they batted around in the sixth. UIndy broke the tie on a bases-loaded, two-run double before designated player Rachel Vander Wagen later registered a three-run homer with two outs. The inning continued due to a fielding error and the Greyhounds took a 7-1 lead on a fielder’s choice.
The Vulcans closed play at the season-opening event against the Nighthawks, who won more than 60 victories last year after winning the 2015 NCAA National Championship. UNG starter Bria Bush claimed the victory after scattering three hits and three walks in 4.1 scoreless innings. The Nighthawks then used three relief pitchers to complete the shutout, including junior Kylee Smith – the 2018 NFCA Division II National Player of the Year. Senior starter Carly Konopka of Peters Township suffered the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits in 4.0-plus innings.
Avella beats FC
Brianna Jenkins and Ella Lengauer each scored 14 points to send Avella past Fort Cherry 57-44 Saturday.
Avella moved to 16-5. Mackenzie Faure had 18 points for FC.
Rabies exposure
at NBA game?
Indiana health officials say people who had contact with a bat last week during an Indiana Pacers game have possibly been exposed to rabies.
The Indiana State Department of Health says anyone who may have touched the bat with bare skin when it flew around at the Pacers game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday in Indianapolis is urged to contact the department or a health care provider about receiving rabies vaccinations.
The department says since the bat is no longer in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, its rabies status is unknown.
Health officials say a person is considered potentially exposed to rabies only if direct contact occurs between a bat and the person’s bare skin. So far there have been no reports of anyone having direct contact with the bat.