CINCINNATI, OHIO — The Mount St. Joseph University softball team swept its Monday evening doubleheader at the MSJ Softball Complex against Wilmington, winning Game 1, 10–0 in six innings, and Game 2, 5–4, extending their winning streak to eight games in a row.
GAME ONE | Wilmington 0 – MSJ 10
In the bottom of the second inning, the Lions got on the board when Skylar Fletcher singled to center field, scoring Natali McGuire, who had walked earlier in the inning, giving them an early 1–0 lead.
In the fourth inning, the Mount plated three runs on four hits, all with two outs. Avery Wiltermood doubled to right-center, scoring Alayna Flynn, who had singled to start the two-out rally. Courtney Hankenhoff then singled down the left-field line, scoring Shelby Rakosky and Wiltermood to give the Lions a 4–0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Mount plated six runs on five hits. Courtney Hankenhoff doubled down the right-field line, scoring Shelby Rakosky, who had singled. The next batter, Mackinley Lawson, hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Avery Wiltermood, who had singled, extending the Mount's lead to 6–0. Hankenhoff later scored on a wild pitch to make it 7–0. Sydney Doyle then homered to left field, scoring Natali McGuire and Sydney Hughbanks, putting the Lions up 10–0 and securing the six-inning run rule.
Lesleigh Reimers earned the complete-game win, going six innings while allowing four hits and striking out three.
Avery Wiltermood went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a sacrifice bunt. Courtney Hankenhoff went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Sydney Hughbanks went 3-for-4 with two doubles, and Sydney Doyle went 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run home run.
GAME TWO | Wilmington 4 – MSJ 5
In Game 2, Wilmington struck first, taking an early 1–0 lead after the top half of the first inning. In the bottom of the first, the Mount tied the game at 1–1 after Mollie Sharp doubled down the left-field line, scoring Shelby Rakosky, who had walked to lead off the inning.
In the bottom of the second, the Lions added two more runs to take a 3–1 lead. With two outs, Avery Wiltermood singled up the middle, scoring Skylar Fletcher and Sydney Doyle.
Wilmington responded with one run in the top of the third and added two more in the fourth to take a 4–3 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Mackinley Lawson singled to center field, scoring Shelby Rakosky, who had been hit by a pitch, tying the game at 4–4.
In the bottom of the fifth, Shelby Rakosky delivered a two-out single up the middle, scoring Sydney Doyle, who had doubled earlier in the inning, to give the Lions a 5–4 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Wilmington led off with a double, but Mount pitcher Clare Lopeman forced two groundouts and recorded a strikeout looking to strand the runner at third and secure the 5–4 victory.
Shelby Rakosky went 1-for-2 with an RBI, a hit-by-pitch, and a stolen base. Avery Wiltermood went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Mackinley Lawson went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mollie Sharp had an RBI double, and Sydney Doyle also added a double.
UP NEXT: The Mount will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to take on Transylvania University on Saturday, April 11. Game 1 is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with Game 2 to follow at approximately 3:00 p.m.
