George Washington University
26-12, 16-2
Rhode Island
10-29, 4-14
Softball Completes Series Sweep with Late Flurry
4/24/2022 2:59:00 PM | Softball
Buff & Blue scored five times in the seventh to beat URI
KINGSTON, R.I. - GW softball erupted for five runs in the top of the seventh to take down Rhode Island, 9-4, on Sunday afternoon to complete an Atlantic 10 series sweep.
The contest was tied before the Buff and Blue sent eight hitters to the plate in their decisive final-inning burst. Hannah Eslick led off the frame with a double, and Maggie Greco and Sierra Lange provided RBI hits before Alexa Williams finished the scoring with a two-run home run over the center-field fence.
With its sixth A-10 series victory and fourth sweep, GW pushed its conference mark to 16-2 with two weekends to go.
After rolling up 23 runs in a Saturday doubleheader sweep, the Buff and Blue had to come from behind in the finale. Rhode Island plated three runs in the second inning and continued to lead into the fifth.
Down 3-1, GW scored three times to take the lead. Lange cracked a leadoff long ball, and later, Eslick drove home two with a double into the gap in left-center.
The Rams tied the game on Ari Castillo's solo homer in the bottom of the fifth, setting the stage for the Buff and Blue's seventh-inning fireworks.
After her double over the third-base bag, Eslick scored the go-ahead run on an error, and the visitors were able to add on to secure the victory. It was the fourth time on the weekend that they scored five or more runs in an inning.
The top of the lineup led the offensive charge with Lange, Williams and Alessandra Ponce collecting three hits apiece.Â
With two more doubles on Sunday, Eslick now has a team-high 14 on the season, and Maggie Greco reached three times with two hits and a walk and finished with two RBIs and a run scored.
Lange improved to 20-7 and 12-2 in A-10 play after tossing the first six innings. GW's ace allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits with seven Ks before turning it over to Maddie Spell to close out the victory.
GW has a busy week ahead, starting with a Tuesday trip to Delaware State. The Buff and Blue host Mount St. Mary's on Wednesday afternoon before welcoming Saint Louis to The Vern for Senior Weekend.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lange, Sierra (20-7)
L: MAGUIRE, Piper (1-3)
Batting:
2B: Ponce, Alessandra 1 ; Eslick, Hannah 2 ; Spell, Maddie 1
HR: Lange, Sierra 1 ; Williams, Alexa 1
RBI: Lange, Sierra 2 ; Williams, Alexa 2 ; Eslick, Hannah 2 ; Greco, Maggie 2
SH: Williams, Alexa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lange, Sierra 1 ; Wilson, Daniella 1 ; Williams, Alexa 2 ; Polsky, Gabby 1 ; Eslick, Hannah 2 ; Dwyer, Maddy 1 ; Greco, Maggie 1
CS: Lange, Sierra 1
Batting:
2B: YOSHIZUMI, Ainsley 1
3B: RAPUANO, Skyler 1
HR: CASTILLO, Ari 1
RBI: CASTILLO, Ari 1 ; RAPUANO, Skyler 1 ; YOSHIZUMI, Ainsley 2
Base Running:
RUNS: CASTILLO, Ari 1 ; VIACLOVSKY, Victoria 1 ; VILLARREAL, Sami 1 ; RAPUANO, Skyler 1
