LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – For the second consecutive game, the No. 2 Lock Haven University softball team (44-5) shutout California (Pa.) University (34-10) 3-0, but this time in came in the 2009 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region 1 First Round Championship game.

With the win Lock Haven advances to the NCAA D-II Atlantic Region Super Regional, which will take place next weekend.

The Lady Eagles three runs came off six hits.

Lock Haven got another solid pitching effort from senior-ace Kristin Erb (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township).

Erb threw a four-hit shutout.

After giving up back-to-back singles to start the game, Erb struck out the next six batters. She finished with a sensational 11 strikeouts.

Erica Eisenbise (Wernersville, Pa./Wilson) and Amanda Gutmaker (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Northeast) both went 2-for-3 to lead LHU at the plate.

The two were also part of Lock Haven’s tremendous defensive effort.

California pitcher Maria Greco was very strong through 5.2 innings, as she only gave up six hits. Only one of the three runs given up while she was in the circle was earned. She recorded three strikeouts in the loss.

Julie Mackenzie was 2-for-3 at the plate for the Vulcans.

Things were scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, when LHU scored all three of there runs.

A Brittany Muthard (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) one-out single drove in Eisenbise to get things going for LHU before the Lady Eagles tacked on two more.

Lock Haven will be back in action next Friday and Saturday, May 15-16 in Super Regional play. LHU will most likely host the best of three series.

The Lady Eagles await the winner of the Kutztown – West Virginia Wesleyan game. West Virginia Wesleyan took game one today 9-6 in eight innings, forcing a deciding game two in the Atlantic Region 2 Championship.