From Washington University Athletics
The No. 18-ranked Washington University in St. Louis softball team extended its winning streak to seven games with a doubleheader sweep at Blackburn College Sunday in Carlinville, Ill.
WashU posted a 9-0 win in five innings in game one, and then recorded a 10-2 victory in six innings in game two.
The Bears improved to 32-8 with the two wins, while Blackburn dropped to 2-22.
WashU hosts Monmouth College (19-9) in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 23. Game one is set for Noon. Prior to the contest, WashU will honors its three seniors: Brooke Hofer, Amanda Kalupa and Annie Pitkin.
#18 WashU 9, Blackburn 0 (Five Innings) – Game One
The Bears scored eight runs on four hits and four walks in the bottom of the first to jump out in front 8-0. Sophomore Maggie Clapp drove in two runs with a single up the middle, while sophomore Ashley Madsen and junior Hannah Mehrle added RBI singles.
Clapp went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs, while Mehrle was 1-for-2 with a run scored and two RBIs. Senior Annie Pitkin (19-4) struck out five and allowed two hits in four innings pitched, while Clapp struck out two in a perfect fifth inning.
WashU was limited to five hits, but took advantage of six walks and four stolen bases.
#18 WashU 10, Blackburn 2 (Five Innings) – Game Two
WashU had 12 hits in the game two victory, led by freshman Taylor Arends' 3-for-3 performance with three runs scored and two RBIs. Clapp (2-for-4, run scored, two RBIs), Hofer (2-for-3, run scored, RBI) and Mehrle (2-for-3, two RBIs) added two hits each.
Leading 1-0, the Bears broke open the game with three runs on four hits in the third. Arends doubled to right scoring two, and then Hofer drove in a run with an infield single.
Mehrle added an RBI single in the fourth to make it 6-0.
Blackburn scored a pair of unearned runs in the fifth, but WashU answered back with three runs on four hits to make it 9-2. Clapp doubled to left to drive in a run, and then sophomore Anna McKee had an RBI single and Mehrle added a sacrifice fly.
Clapped doubled to right center with out in the sixth to drive home junior Janet Taylor to end the game.
Sophomore Mackenzie Gauden (4-0) picked up the win in relief allowing one hit and two unearned run in three innings. Clapp made the start and struck out three and allowed two hits in two innings, while McKee tossed the sixth and struck out the side and allowed a hit.
BEAR NOTEBOOK: WashU leads the all-time series with Blackburn 25-3 … The 32 wins in 2016 are tied for the fifth most in a single season under head coach Leticia Pineda-Boutte … Hofer played in her 178th career game, tied for most in school history … Taylor has reached base in 33-straight games … Clapp and Mehrle each drove in four runs on the day … Taylor moved into a tie for fifth place in school history in walks (52) … Pitkin appeared in her 117th game, second most in school history and one shy of school record.