The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (22-0, 6-0 ODAC) swept conference opponent Roanoke, winning game one 9-0 and winning game two 11-2.
Sarah Prosser had a milestone day as she hit 200 career hits in the doubleheader against Roanoke.
Game One:
Hannah Hearl was dominant in the circle to earn her 11th win of the season, pitching 7.0 innings, throwing a no-hitter, and retiring seven batters by strikeout.
At the plate, the Marlins tallied 10 hits and showed patience with nine walks.
Samantha Deitsch and
Taylor Mcqueen each drove in two runs, while
Alison Pollack led the way with a home run and two RBIs.
Olivia Knight and
Sarah Prosser each recorded multi-hit performances as Virginia Wesleyan continued to showcase its depth throughout the lineup.
While the offense took a few innings to get going, Virginia Wesleyan broke through in the fourth inning.
Alison Pollack got things started with a towering two-run home run to left center, driving in
Olivia Knight and giving the Marlins a 2-0 lead.
The Marlins added to their advantage in the fifth, capitalizing on defensive miscues by Roanoke. With runners on, Pollack reached on an error that allowed both Knight and
Taylor Mcqueen to cross the plate, extending the lead to 4-0.
Virginia Wesleyan put the game well out of reach in the seventh inning with a five-run explosion.
Sarah Prosser singled up the middle to spark the rally, and the Marlins took advantage of multiple Roanoke errors to plate another run.
Samantha Deitsch followed with a two-RBI single to center, and
Taylor Mcqueen capped the scoring with a two-run double to right center, pushing the final margin to 9-0.
Game Two:
At the plate, the Marlins were relentless, collecting 10 hits while drawing 10 walks. Sarah Prosser led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 performance and an RBI, while Morgan Tucker drove in three runs with her home run. Mcqueen also tallied three RBIs, and Pollack added two more in a balanced offensive effort.
In the circle, Emma Adams remained unbeaten, improving to 10-0 on the season. She tossed six strong innings, allowing just two runs, while striking out six. Savannah Ballou closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning to secure the win.
The Marlins set the tone immediately in the top of the first inning with a three-run frame. Laci Campbell worked a leadoff walk and came all the way around to score when Samantha Deitsch ripped a triple to center field. After Deitsch moved into scoring position, Alison Pollack delivered a clutch single to center that brought home both Deitsch and Taylor Mcqueen, who had also reached base and advanced into scoring position, giving Virginia Wesleyan a 3-0 lead.
After a couple quiet innings, the Marlins added to their advantage in the fourth. Karley Beltran and Sarah Prosser both reached to start the rally, and Campbell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Following a pair of outs at the plate on fielder's choices, Mcqueen came through with a big two-out single up the middle, driving in both Deitsch and Campbell to extend the lead to 5-0.
Roanoke responded with two unearned runs in the bottom half of the fourth, but Virginia Wesleyan quickly answered in the fifth. After Pollack reached and Laney Pearce entered as a pinch runner, the Marlins moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Prosser then came through with an RBI single to center field, scoring Pearce and pushing the lead to 6-2.
The Marlins kept the pressure on in the sixth inning. Deitsch worked a walk and stole second before advancing to third. Mcqueen followed with another timely hit, singling to right field to bring Deitsch home and make it a 7-2 game.
Virginia Wesleyan broke things wide open in the seventh with a four-run inning. Beltran got things started with a walk and stole second, and Prosser followed with a single to put runners on the corners before swiping second herself. Campbell then drew another walk to load the bases. A ball put in play by Deitsch resulted in a Roanoke fielding error, allowing Beltran to score and extend the lead to 8-2. Moments later, Morgan Tucker delivered the knockout blow, blasting a three-run home run to right center that scored Campbell and Prosser and capped the scoring at 11-2.
