ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Alfred University softball team tallied 12 runs and 22 hits Thursday afternoon, leading to a doubleheader sweep of RIT at the RIT Softball Complex. The Saxons (3-0) defeated the Tigers (1-3) 3-0 in game one and 9-2 in game two.
 
Graduate pitcher Jessica Wilcox (Forestville, NY/Pine Valley) twirled another dominant performance for the Saxons in game one, recording a complete game shutout to earn her second victory of the young season (2-0). The win was her 38^th all-time, as she stands alone for second place on the all-time wins list, and just one win away from the all-time mark of 39 set by Nicole Hedrick '12.
 
"We were admittedly a little sloppy and need to clean up some things, but overall we are proud of the effort the girls gave and we are never disappointed with a sweep," said head coach Luke Wesneski. "We have to remember that it's still early and we are working the bugs out from the long layoff. We carried over our hitting from last night and the girls are starting to see the ball better. Our defense and pitching were sound today like we expect and had some great individual efforts."
 
GAME 1
Early offense propelled AU to an early lead in game one. Junior outfielder Alyssa Guitron (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon) got the ball rolling with a leadoff single to left-center. The next batter, first year infielder Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) was hit by a pitch, setting the table for first year infielder Raygan Wescott (Taft, CA/Taft Union) to make her first collegiate at-bat. Wescott doubled into left center for her first career hit, scoring both Wells and Guitron as the Saxons took a 2-0 lead.
 
The next inning, senior outfielder Sydney Saucedo (Whittier, CA/La Serna) led the frame with a double down the left field line, then stealing third to set things up for junior infielder Tatiana Mejia (North Hills, CA/John F. Kennedy). Mejia flied out to right field, but it was deep enough to bring home the speedy Saucedo for the sacrifice fly as the Saxons led 3-0.
 
That offense was more than enough for Wilcox, who allowed just five hits in the complete game effort, striking out 11 Tiger batters. The graduate student ran into minor trouble in the third, fifth, and sixth innings, but would quickly shut the door with strikeouts, ending the threat each time.
 
Saucedo, Guitron, and graduate infielder Elena Ceja (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Beach Union) each led the Saxons with two hits apiece. For the Tigers, Katelyn Koester led the offense with two hits, and Tori Adler (0-2) took the loss, allowing three earned on seven hits, striking out six.
 
GAME 2
The Saxon offense once again came alive, scoring eight or more runs for the second time in three games. Alfred feasted on seven RIT errors, beginning with a first inning error by the catcher, scoring Saucedo for the 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Ceja doubled to right field, scoring Saucedo. A throwing error by the right fielder allowed Mejia to skate on home from third base, completing a three-run opening frame.
 
AU took advantage of another RIT miscue in the third, earning their fourth run with two outs. With the bases loaded after a fielding error in the infield, Wescott pinch hit, but flied out to right field. Fortunately, the ball was deep enough to score Guitron. An inning later, the Saxons scored in a more traditional fashion, as Saucedo began the inning with a double, Mejia moved her over, and Ceja brought her home with an RBI single to right-center for the 5-0 lead.

Sophomore pitcher Arden Hatch (Orangevale, CA/St. Francis) took the ball for her first start of the season and cruised through three innings. She ran into a bit of trouble in the fourth, as the Tigers were able to respond with a pair of runs off of Saxon miscues. She recovered, limiting the damage with a strikeout to end the inning.
 
The AU offense quickly picked up Hatch, as Saucedo hit a two-out double to left field, scoring junior infielder Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills). The next batter, Mejia, rewarded Saucedo with an RBI single up the middle. The Saxons finished the scoring in the top of the seventh, as Guitron ended the party with a one-out double to right center, scoring both Mejia and Saucedo for the 9-2 lead. RIT got two batters on with one out in the seventh, but things got too dark in Rochester, as the game was called.
 
The Saxons tallied 15 hits in the game two victory, led by a 4-for-4 performance by Guitron, driving in two runs and drawing a walk. Saucedo went 3-for-4 with a walk, scoring four times. Ceja drove in two with a 2-for-5 performance, and Lugo tallied two hits, scored twice, and stole two bases.
 
Hatch earned her first win of the season (1-0), allowing just one earned in four innings pitched, striking out three batters. First year pitcher Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) made her collegiate debut, pitching a scoreless 2 1/3 innings with just three hits given up.
 
Brooke Seifert and Elise Guth each tallied two hits to lead the Tigers. Melissa Gould (1-1) took the loss, allowing five earned in 3.1 innings pitched. Adler came on in relief, allowing three earned in 3.2 innings, striking out five.
 
"We are looking forward to playing Buffalo State on Saturday and hopefully keeping that momentum going," Wesneski said.
 
The Saxons will finish up the road trip with the aforementioned double header at Buffalo State, beginning at 3 p.m.