BOX SCORE (GAME 1)

BOX SCORE (GAME 2)

PHOTO GALLERY

LATROBE, Pa. (March 24) - The Saint Vincent softball team used timely hitting and strong pitching to sweep Juniata College in a home nonconference doubleheader. Saint Vincent took game one 7-3 before winning game two 4-1 to push its winning streak to four games.

SVC got on the board first in game one when freshman Emily Duerr launched a solo home run to right center field. After Juniata tied the game in the top of the fourth inning, SVC used a three run home run from third baseman Kelsey Lineberger to regain the lead at 4-1.

Lineberger singled home Duerr and freshman Shelby Noel scored on an error to push the Bearcats lead to 6-1. Junior designated player Christina Folino added an RBI groundout, helping the Bearcats to a 7-1 lead after six innings of play. The visiting Eagles scored two runs in the top of the seventh but Duerr halted any chance of a comeback to improve her record to 4-0 on the season.

Lineberger and Noel helped pace the Bearcats offensive attack with multi-hit efforts in game one. Duerr pitched a complete game, giving up three earned runs on seven hits over seven innings of work. The freshman lefty struck out a season-high six in the win.

The Bearcats gained an early lead in game two, as junior catcher Breanne Wallace doubled home Lineberger and came around to score on a passed ball, giving SVC a 2-0 lead after two innings. Noel drove home freshman shortstop Courtney Patterson to push the lead to 3-0 in the third inning.

Juniata scored in the fourth inning but SVC quickly responded right back as freshman second baseman Rachel Harenchar produced an RBI groundout, making it 4-1 Bearcats after four innings.

The Eagles tried to rally in the top of the sixth, putting runners on second and third base with no outs. However, SVC called upon sophomore Samantha Emert in relief. Emert got two strikeouts and a line out to keep Juniata off the board in the inning.

Emert then induced three groundouts in the seventh inning for her first save of the season. Sophomore Laken Lyon earned the victory in game two, pitching five plus innings and allowing just one run on three hits while striking out a season-best nine batters.

SVC will look to continue its early season hot streak when they host La Roche College for a doubleheader on Thursday, March 26. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.