The Slippery Rock University softball team kept their strong start rolling on Tuesday, picking up another Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) western division sweep with 5-0 and 8-4 wins over Edinboro at Kasnevich Field.
With the two victories, The Rock moves to 10-8 overall and stays perfect in conference play at 4-0. Edinboro fell to 1-16 and 0-2 in the PSAC West. This is the second straight year and just the second time in the last 15 seasons that SRU has opened divisional play with four consecutive wins.
SRU’s lineup was consistent all afternoon, led by Maddie Cavenaugh, Alyssa Sheely, Alyssa Massucci and Jordyn Pelles, who all recorded hits in both games. Cavenaugh went 3-for-5 with two runs, two runs batted in (RBIs) and a walk. Sheely and Pelles each finished 3-for-6 with two RBIs, while Sheely scored three times and Pelles crossed the plate twice. Massucci added two hits, three RBIs and two runs on the day.
Game one
After the first two innings being a shutout for both teams, Slippery Rock got things going in the third, taking advantage of an Edinboro error that put Grace Smith on base. Pelles followed with a bunt single, and Cavenaugh brought Smith home with a sacrifice fly.
After Pelles stole second and Aubrey Mansfield drew a walk, Sheely drove in another run with a single, and Mansfield came around to score as well on an errant throw. Massucci capped the inning with an RBI triple to right field, giving SRU a 4-0 lead. The Rock added one more run in the fourth when Pelles singled and later scored on another Cavenaugh hit.
Cavenaugh and Pelles each had multi-hit performances, while Mansfield, Sheely and Massucci chipped in one hit apiece. In the circle, Rachel Baker was outstanding, tossing the first complete game shutout of her career. She allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four.
The Fighting Scots’ efforts fell short, leaving one runner on base in almost every inning.
Game two
The White and Green carried that momentum straight into game two, putting up three runs in the first inning. Cavenaugh led off with a single, Addie Deal doubled and Sheely knocked in the first run with an RBI single. Massucci added an RBI groundout, and Sheely later scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0. The Rock pushed the lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the second when Deal ripped a two-run double to score Cavenaugh and Addie Warzala.
Edinboro retaliated with a four-run inning in the fifth, trimming the deficit to one. With two runners on base, Bella Becker doubled to left center, sending the first two of the night home. Becker then crossed the plate after a single hit.
With a runner on and the momentum shifting, Rock pitcher Kayla Williams came out of the bullpen and ended the threat with a strikeout.
The White and Green answered right away at the bottom of the inning. Sydney Lutz, pinch-running for Deal, scored on a Sheely single. Massucci followed another RBI hit, and Pelles delivered a two-run double to stretch the lead back to 8-4.
Deal led the way in game two, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Sheely added two hits, two runs and an RBI, while Cavenaugh, Massucci and Warzala each added a hit.
Paige Gresgott earned the win after 4.2 innings of work, allowing four runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Williams closed the door with 2.1 perfect innings, striking out three to earn the save.
Slippery Rock now hits the road for two more doubleheaders, traveling to Seton Hill University on Friday at 2 p.m. and California, Pa. on Saturday at 1 p.m.
