The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (36-3-1, 21-1 ODAC) defeated conference opponent Sweet Briar on the road; winning game one 10-0 and winning game two 13-0.
Game One:
Laci Campbell led the offense going 2-for-2, scored a run, and had two RBI and stole one base, Sarah Prosser did well going 2-for-2, scored two runs, had one RBI, and stole two bases. Julia Piotrowski was 1-for-2, scored two runs, had two RBI, and stole two bases, and teammate Morgan Tucker was 1-for-2, scored one run, and had two RBI. Joslyn Woodard was 1-for-2 with two RBI.
Lauren Bible pitched well in the circle for her 20th win of the season, she pitched 3.0 innings in the no-hitter, and tallied three strikeouts. Abigail Jones saw her first action of the season as she pitched 2.0 innings, in the no-hitter, and had three strikeouts as well.
Virginia Wesleyan came out aggressive in the first inning, setting the tone for the game. Sarah Prosser led off with a walk and quickly stole second, putting pressure on Sweet Briar early. Julia Piotrowsk reached on a fielding error by the second baseman, allowing Prosser to score the game's first run. Piotrowski then stole second, and Laci Campbell followed with a single to right, advancing her teammate to third. Campbell stole second, setting up a perfect opportunity for Morgan Tucker, who delivered with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing in Piotrowski. The inning continued with Samantha Deitsch grounding out to the pitcher, but not before Campbell crossed the plate, capping a three-run frame.
The Marlins didn't let up in the second. Brianna Jones got things going with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. After a groundout, Prosser singled to move Jones to third, then stole second again. Piotrowski kept the momentum going with a single to left, scoring Jones and moving Prosser to third. She stole second, her second steal of the game. Campbell lifted another sacrifice fly to center to score Prosser, and Tucker kept it rolling with a single up the middle, scoring Piotrowski. Deitsch walked and Olivia Knight was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Marlins. Joslyn Woodard came through with a clutch single to right, bringing in two more runs to extend the lead to 7–0.
Virginia Wesleyan continued its offensive onslaught in the third. Alexus Hudgens reached base via a walk and proceeded to steal both second and third. Prosser drove her in with a single to short, padding the lead to 8–0. Riley Curtice entered as a pinch runner and immediately advanced to second on a wild pitch. Piotrowski hit a fly ball to right, moving Curtice to third, and Campbell followed with an RBI single to center to bring her home. After three innings, the Marlins were firmly in control with a 10-0 lead.
Game Two:
Haley Sadler led the offense in game two, going 3-for-3, scored two runs, had two RBI, and stole one base, Morgan Tucker went 3-for-3 as well, scored one run, and had one RBI. Brooke Powell came in as a pinch hitter and had a big impact going 1-for-1 with a three run home run.
Hannah Hearl got her eighth win of the season as she pitched 4.0 innings in the win allowed one hit, no runs, and struck out four, and teammate Julia Piotrowski finished the game as she pitched 1.0 inning, allowed one hit, and zero runs.
Virginia Wesleyan picked up right where it left off. Sara Prosser opened the game with a single and stole second before Julia Piotrowski walked. Laci Campbell loaded the bases with a single to short, and Morgan Tucker drove in the game's first run with a single to left. After Samantha Deitsch walked to force in a run, Olivia Knight stepped up with a clutch single to center, plating two more. Sweet Briar made a pitching change, but the damage continued. After a strikeout, Hannah Sadler delivered an RBI single, and an error on Alexis Hudgens' grounder to third allowed another run to score, giving the Marlins a commanding 6–0 lead out of the gate.
Mirandah Jenkins started the second inning with a double to center, and Sadler followed with a single to move her to third. Sadler then stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Hudgens grounded out, but it was enough to bring home Jenkins. With two outs, Piotrowski kept the pressure on with an RBI single to center, scoring Sadler and pushing the lead to 8–0.
The Marlins offense erupted again in the fifth. Olivia Knight reached on an error and was replaced by pinch runner Cali Megaro, who moved to second. Sadler knocked her in with a single to center, and Autumn Boothe followed with another single. After a pitching change and a pinch-running switch, Brooke Powell stepped up and launched a three-run homer, stretching the lead to 12–0. The Marlins weren't finished. Paiton Everett and Riley Curtice added back-to-back hits, and Jenna Laird walked to load the bases. Deitsch capped off the inning with a single to left, scoring Everett for the final run of the game. Virginia Wesleyan completed the doubleheader sweep with a 13–0 shutout victory.
