George Washington University
15-16
Coppin State
3-28
Softball Sweeps Coppin State
4/5/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
BALTIMORE - Senior Megan Linn became the GW softball program's career hits leader on Wednesday as the Colonials swept Coppin State in doubleheader action on the road.
GW (16-16) posted a season-best 18 hits in the first game, downing Coppin State 12-3 before completing the sweep with a 6-5 win in eight innings in the nightcap.
The Colonials started the scoring early in game one as Linn led off the day with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. The hit marked the 207th of Linn's career, snapping the program's all-time mark previously set by Victoria Valos ('15). Freshman Jenna Cone later singled to left to drive in Linn. Fellow rookie Priscilla Martinez followed with a single of her own before senior Paige Kovalsky loaded the bases with one out with yet another single. An RBI single to right off the bat of freshman Elena Shelepak put GW ahead 2-0 before the side was retired.
GW again loaded the bases in the second as this time junior Alana Anderson singled to start the frame and Linn was hit by a pitch. A Coppin State error allowed freshman Jessica Linquist to reach before a Martinez sacrifice fly plated one. Kovalsky notched her second hit of the game to bring home another run, giving the Buff and Blue a 4-0 advantage.
The Colonials scored again in the third with the help of a Coppin State error. Freshman Gabby Gallone reached on an error, advanced to second on a bunt single by Anderson and scored on Linn's single up the middle. A sac fly from Cone plated another before Martinez doubled to right center for two RBIs. Kovalsky followed suit with a double of her own to drive in one more to cap a five-run inning and put GW ahead, 9-0.
Coppin State avoided the shutout in the third with a pair of runs on three hits.
GW added a run in the fourth when Gallone singled and scored on a double by Linn, but the Eagles got one back in the bottom of the stanza to put the score at 10-3 after four innings of play.
The Buff and Blue finished their scoring in the seventh, when Shelepak drove in two after Cone and Martinez singled.
The Eagles attempted to rally in the seventh, working the bases loaded but failing to score as the Colonials took a 12-3 victory to start the day.
Eight different Colonials hit safely in the contest, with six tallying multi-hit efforts led by Kovalsky (4-for-5, 2 RBI, R).
In game two, neither squad crossed the plate until the Colonials broke the stalemate in the fourth when Linn led off the inning with a single. Linquist followed with a single of her own and the pair advanced a base on a passed ball. Cone singled to right to score two, advancing to second on the play and Kovalsky blasted her first home run of the season to give GW a 4-0 lead.
Coppin State quickly responded in the bottom of the frame, evening the score with four runs on three hits and a pair of walks.
The Buff and Blue regained the edge in the fifth after three-straight singles from junior Rochelle Draper, Gallone and Linn loaded the bases. A sac fly from Cone plated the go-ahead run, giving GW a 5-4 edge.
The Eagles again leveled the slate with a run on two hits in the sixth, sending the game to extra innings as neither team could score in the seventh.
Cone issued the deciding blow, blasting her school-record 14th homer of the season to give the Colonials a 6-5 lead it would not relinquish.
Junior Ashley Pilcher (3-1, 3.78 ERA) came on in relief of both starters on the day to earn a pair of wins in the circle. Freshman Faith Weber notched her first career save in the nightcap with one scoreless inning of relief.
The Colonials return to action on Saturday when the squad visits Atlantic 10 foe La Salle to begin a three-game set.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Pilcher, Ashley (2-1)
L: DIDION,Madison (3-15)
Batting:
2B: Linn, Megan 1 ; Martinez, Priscilla 1 ; Kovalsky, Paige 1 ; Weber, Faith 1
RBI: Linn, Megan 2 ; Cone, Jenna 2 ; Martinez, Priscilla 3 ; Kovalsky, Paige 2 ; Shelepak, Elena 3
SH: Anderson, Alana 1
SF: Cone, Jenna 1 ; Martinez, Priscilla 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Linn, Megan 3 ; Linquist, Jessica 1 ; Cone, Jenna 2 ; Martinez, Priscilla 1 ; Kovalsky, Paige 1 ; Gallone, Gabby 2 ; Anderson, Alana 2
SB: Linn, Megan 1 ; Linquist, Jessica 1
HBP: Linn, Megan 1
Batting:
2B: BROWN,Cayla 1 ; SORIA,Patricia 1
RBI: BROWN,Cayla 1 ; SORIA,Patricia 2
Base Running:
RUNS: NARVAEZ,Megan 1 ; ALDERETE,Arianna 1 ; JAMES,Hatika 1
