Hickory, N.C. ? The Lenoir-Rhyne University Softball Team (21-2) extended its winning streak to 11 games by sweeping a doubleheader against East Stroudsburg University (4-10) on Wednesday by scores of 10-1 and 8-0.? The Bears run-ruled the Warriors in both contests.
Senior designated player Ashley Duckworth (Conover, N.C.) led L-R at the plate as she went three-for-five including two home runs to go along with four runs scored and three runs batted in.
Game One ? Lenoir-Rhyne 10, East Stroudsburg 1 (five innings)
Sophomore Dawon Millwood (Hixson, Tenn.) (9-1) allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out five batters to get the win in the circle for L-R.?
The Bears wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as they posted a seven-run first inning.? Lenoir-Rhyne opened the scoring on back-to-back, bases-loaded walks to sophomore catcher Sarah Atkins (Newport News, Va.) and sophomore outfielder Tameron Sealey (Mount Holly, N.C.) for a 2-0 lead.
Freshman outfielder Megan Laxton (Taylorsville, N.C.) followed with a two-run single to drive in Atkins and Duckworth before sophomore first baseman Brittany Davidson (Fort Defiance, Va.) polished off the first inning for the Bears with a three-run home run to right center field to give L-R the 7-0 lead.
Sophomore second baseman Carlee Carpenter (Newton, N.C.) hit an RBI single and junior third baseman Brandi Haithcock (Snow Camp, N.C.) slapped a two-run single to help the Bears to a three-run second inning and a 10-0 advantage.
Brittany Racek (Philadelphia, Pa.) produced East Stroudsburg's only offense as she hit a solo home run in the top of fifth inning.
Caitlin Monahan (Clarks Summit, Pa.) was saddled with the loss for the Warriors.
Box Score
Game Two ? Lenoir-Rhyne 8, East Stroudsburg 0 (five innings)
Freshman Alex Smith (Cocoa, Fla.) (9-1) threw five innings and allowed only one hit while striking out two batters to get the game two victory for the Bears.
L-R plated single runs in the second and third innings before breaking the contest open in the fourth frame.
Duckworth's solo home run to left field and freshman outfielder Jessica Fellmeth's (Waxhaw, N.C.) two-run round-tripper sparked a five-run fourth inning for Lenoir-Rhyne.? Rivers and Carpenter drove in runs to round out the scoring in the frame to give L-R a 7-0 lead.
Duckworth then ended the game on the third pitch of the L-R fifth inning with a deep home run to center field that gave the Bears the 8-0 victory and the doubleheader sweep.? Duckworth is now tied for the team lead in home runs with nine.
Jackie Battaglino (Oak Ridge, N.J.) was tagged with the defeat for East Stroudsburg.
Box Score
L-R will next head to Florence, S.C., to compete in the Francis Marion Patriot Invitational over the weekend.? L-R opens the tournament on Saturday against Armstrong Atlantic State at 11:00 a.m., followed by a contest with tournament-host Francis Marion at 1:00 p.m.? Lenoir-Rhyne ends the day with a 5:00 p.m., game against St. Leo.
