ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University softball team engaged the mercy rule in both non-conference games against Fredonia, winning both games in five innings on Tuesday evening from Harrington Field.
 
The Saxons (9-8, 2-0 Empire 8) defeated the Blue Devils (6-14, 3-1 SUNYAC) 10-1 in Tuesday's opening game and got a walk-off, two RBI double from Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) in the bottom of the fifth for the 8-0 shutout win in the nightcap. "We had a team effort today and that's what we have been looking for," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "Everyone contributed in one way or another and we will need that moving forward. We have a tough test tomorrow and we are looking forward to it."
 
Game One
Alfred University – 10  |  Fredonia – 1
 
The Saxons scored five runs in the bottom of the first that all but solidified the win in game one of the day. They then tacked on three in the bottom of the second to show signs of the mercy rule, which is an eight-run lead after five innings of play. The Saxons posted two insurance runs in the bottom of the third while the Blue Devils got one back in the top of the fifth inning.
 
Lugo crossed home plate first on the day when Alyssa Guitron (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon) drove her home with a double to right field. Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) got Guitron across the plate with a triple to right centerfield, making it a 2-0 lead with no outs in scoring position. Tatiana Mejia (North Hills, CA/John F. Kennedy) was credited with an RBI on a sacrificed bunt to push Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) to second base after she walked to get on first.
 
Neto scored when Molly Lawson (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/Trabuco Hills) hit a shot to the Fredonia third baseman, which was bobbled, allowing Lawson a safe reach at first base and for Neto to sneak to home plate on the throw. Mara Moore (Torrance, CA/West High) drove home Lawson for the last score of the inning and the 5-0 lead when she doubled deep in the bottom of the first.
 
Lugo was first at-bat for AU in the bottom of the second as the Saxons cycled through the lineup in just the first. She also scored again when Guitron placed a shot to the second baseman, forcing yet another Blue Devil error. Mejia doubled to left field to bring both Neto and Guitron home, making it 8-0 going into the third inning.
 
Raygan Wescott (Taft, CA/Taft Union) ended the scoring spree when she hit a single up the middle to bring both Moore and Isabella Carrillo (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham Community Charter) home, upping the score to 10-0 in favor of the hosts. Fredonia pushed back with a double to right center to bring a first base pinch runner around the bases but couldn't produce after that, ending the game with only four and a half innings played.
 
The Blue Devils used three different pitchers that totaled one strikeout, two walks, two hit batters and gave up eight hits. Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) went the distance and only gave up four hits and one earned run while striking out six Blue Devils and walking one.
 
Mejia was 2-for-2 with three RBI to lead the batting corps while Guitron showcased a 1-for-2 outing with two RBI and two runs.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 8  |  Fredonia – 0
 
The pace of the nightcap seemed to differ towards a more, neck-and-neck feel with both teams exiting the first inning with no runs. After another scoreless top inning, AU's bats were back as the Saxons put up four earned runs in the bottom of the second.
 
Isabella Orozco (Studio City, CA/Village Christian) was credited with the game-winning RBI as she singled to left field to bring Mejia home, starting the scoring with a 1-0 lead in the shutout. Gillian Flint (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) put down a perfect bunt to the Blue Devil pitcher, not only advancing Orozco to third but also allowing Arden Hatch (Orangevale, CA/St. Francis) enough time to cross home safely. Flint was also safe at first on the play, advancing to second base on the attempted play at home.
 
Lugo singled up the middle to clean off the bases, scoring both Orozco and Flint.
 
Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) drove Lawson home in the bottom of the third for the 5-0 lead when she, herself, was safe at first on another play attempt at home.
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, looking at a 5-0 lead and a lead-off out, O'Toole singled to left field to get on base. She advanced to second on a wild pitch while Hatch was at-bat, followed by a double down the left field line that hopped the third base bag, bringing O'Toole home for the 6-0 lead. Orozco flied out to left field for a two-out situation with only hatch on base.
 
Brianna Juarez (Chino, CA/Chino) pinched hit for Flint and walked to put Saxons on first and second, joining Hatch at second base. Lugo got the walk-off double as she put a deep shot to left field, bringing home Hatch with ease and Juarez with wheels to close out the game.
 
All eight of the Saxon runs were earned runs as Fredonia's pitcher allowed 10 hits while striking out two batters and walking two with one wild pitch. Hatch was the Saxon in the circle for the nightcap, striking out eight batters with 60 pitches and only giving up four hits.
 
The Blue Devils' closest scoring effort came in the top of the third inning as their third batter struck out swinging but their runner on third was caught in a brief rundown situation as Orozco threw to Mejia who gave it back to the sophomore catcher, making the play at home and preventing the score.
 
Lugo was 2-for-4 with four RBI in the game while Hatch was 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
 
The Saxons will next host NCAA Division II member, D'Youville College on Wednesday, April 6 at 1:00pm and 3:00pm from Harrington Field.