ALFRED, N.Y. – The Alfred University softball bats continued to stay hot, overwhelming visiting Ithaca with 17 runs in a doubleheader sweep, in non-conference action from Harrington Field Wednesday afternoon.

The Saxons (9-2) defeated the Bombers (4-2) 14-3 in game one, then pulled out a gritty 3-2 victory in game two for their fifth consecutive victory.

The 14 runs scored in game one are the most AU has scored against the Bombers in program history. In game two, graduate pitcher Jessica Wilcox (Forestville, NY/Pine Valley) once again tied the program record for strikeouts in a contest, mowing down 14 Bomber batters. The Saxons swept the Bombers for the first time since the 2015 season. Junior infielder Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) tallied four hits in the doubleheader and stole three more bases, moving her into a tie for second-place on the all-time steals list with 53. Lugo shares the record with Alyson Hampton '15.

"Our kids continue to show up and take care of business and that's all I ask of them each day," said head coach Luke Wesneski. "It doesn't matter who we're playing, who's in the lineup, or where we're playing at, our kids have the mentality to give it their best effort every day for their team. We saw that today against a very good Ithaca team. It's tough enough taking one game from them, so to get a sweep is a bonus."
 
GAME ONE
Both offenses came into this game ready to go. Ithaca got started with a sacrifice fly by Julia Loffredo in the top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, junior outfielder Alyssa Guitron (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon) returned the favor with a sac fly of her own, tying the game at one. With junior infielder Tatiana Mejia (North Hills, CA/John F. Kennedy) at the plate, a passed ball scored two runners, giving the Saxons a 3-1 lead.

Ithaca responded in the top of the second, as Daniella Mulvey hit a leadoff home run, a towering shot into the left field bleachers. In the bottom of the frame, graduate infielder Elena Ceja (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Beach Union) walked with the bases loaded to bring in a run. Guitron was hit a few pitches later, scoring another run. First year infielder Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) ripped a single past the shortstop, bringing home two more for a 7-2 advantage.

Loffredo tallied her second RBI of the game with a single past the shortstop in the third inning, as Ithaca climbed closer down 7-3. It was as close as the Bombers could get, as first-year starting pitcher Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) shut the door on the Bomber bats, keeping them off the board in the final two innings.

Offensively, the Saxons kept the pressure on. Two more Saxon runs came in the bottom of the third, with Lugo and senior outfielder Sydney Saucedo (Whittier, CA/La Serna) providing the offense. In the bottom of the fourth, a sac fly to center field by Wells gave the Saxons their 10^th run. Two batters later, sophomore infielder Molly Lawson (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/Trabuco) knocked in two more runs with a triple to right field as the Saxons held a commanding 12-3 lead. Lugo and sophomore outfielder Isabella Carrillo (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham Community Charter) ended the party with RBI singles, giving way to Bennett to retire the side in order in the fifth, ending the contest.

The Saxons tallied 12 hits in game one, led by 3-for-3 performances by Carrillo and Lugo. Eight Saxons tallied a hit. Bennett improved to 2-0 on the season, allowing just three earned on six hits in a complete game effort, striking out five Bombers. The Saxons roughed up Ithaca ace Beth Fleming (2-1), as she allowed 12 earned runs on 12 hits, striking out just one batter.
 
GAME TWO
In comparison, game two was a pitchers' duel between Wilcox and Ithaca's young hurler Riley Piromalli. Once again, Ithaca struck first, as a two-out Mulvey single to right field gave the Bombers a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, Wells reached on a one-out single to right field. Junior infielder Mara Moore (Torrance, CA/West) tried to attempt a sacrifice bunt, but reached safely at first base. Lawson then struck again with an RBI single, tying the game at one. Three batters later, Saucedo gave the Saxons the 2-1 lead with an RBI single.

The Saxon lead was short-lived, as Ithaca responded in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Haley Gaffney sent a shot deep to right field, homering to tie the game at two.
Both pitchers settled things down for a few innings, with both Piromalli and Wilcox trading zeros on the board. The Saxons got their chance in the bottom of the sixth, and like a hungry hyena, attacked. With one out and runners at first and second base, Lugo ripped a single up the middle, scoring Lawrson to take a 3-2 lead. AU then turned to their ace, and Wilcox shut the door, striking out the side to win the game, and earn her record-tying 14^th strikeout of the evening.

Six Saxons tallied hits in the game two victory, led by a 2-for-3 effort by Wells. Wilcox improves to a perfect 5-0 on the season, allowing just the two earned runs on three hits in a complete-game effort. Piromalli (2-1) took the loss, striking out five batters in six innings pitched.

"I want to shout out every player on our team because they all made an impact in our wins today," Wesneski said. "We have the best bench in the game and without them there is no spark. Great performances all around and we are happy about the wins, but we are now on to preparing for conference play on Saturday."

The Saxons will begin Empire 8 competition in its next contest, hosting Utica College for a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m.