Flyers sweep George Washington, lead A-10
By: Lyndsey Diggs – Staff Writer
The University of Dayton’s softball team finished the weekend with a sweep of the George Washington University Colonels, 4-1, 4-0 and 7-0, respectively, improving to 15-2 in Atlantic 10 conference play and maintaining its perfect resume on its home turf.
The Flyers are peaking at the most opportune moment. With only two weeks left in conference and regular season play, the Flyers are experiencing success like never before. The team has already shattered an abundance of program and individual records and are on pace for more.
In game one of this weekend’s series, senior Kayla English started in the circle for the Flyers and took care of business, tossing 4.2 innings, striking out four and allowing three hits.
Freshman standout Manda Cash came in for the save, tallying her sixth of the season thus far, making her second in the nation in that category, allowing no hits and striking out four in 2.1 innings pitched.
In game two, sophomore Gabrielle Snyder went the distance to for the complete seven-inning game shutout.
She was spectacular; striking out five and allowing only three hits. Snyder had an impressive day at the plate as well going 2-for-3 with a run scored, a run batted in (RBI) and a double to add to her resume.
Snyder wasn’t the only Flyer to have a great day up at the plate. Senior outfielder Natalie Mariano and infielder Tiffany Ricks, along with freshmen outfielder Jaclyn Kweder and infielder Kayla Haberstich, had multiple-hit games. Junior catcher Kathryn Hess and Kweder also doubled in the game to keep the offensive momentum afloat for the Flyers.
In Sunday’s contest, English started again for the Flyers, remaining in the circle for 6.1 innings recording four strikeouts. Four was the magic number for English this weekend in the strikeouts column and it worked, as she fanned four batters in each of her two wins this weekend. She improved to 16-5 on the season. Cash came in for the final two outs in a bases-loaded situation and sealed the deal for a Flyer victory.
On the offensive side of things, Ricks was explosive as she muscled a grand slam over the left field fence to spark the offensive momentum for the Flyers. She is chasing a plethora of offensive records including career RBIs. She is just 10 shy from becoming the all-time record holder in that category.
With this weekend’s sweep, the Flyers improved its overall record to 31-12 and solidified their dominance within the Atlantic 10 conference.
The Flyers return to action at home on Tuesday against crosstown rival Wright State University. First pitch will be at 4 p.m. There will be a short presentation to recognize head coach Cara LaPlaca’s 300th career win and English’s perfect game earlier this season against the University of Rhode Island.