ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University softball team celebrated its seniors in pregame ceremonies before earning the sweep over Elmira College on Sunday evening with a pair of shutout wins.
 
The Saxons (24-12, 12-2 Empire 8) mercy-ruled the Soaring Eagles (14-16, 4-6 Empire 8) in a five-inning, 8-0 win with a walk-off double before Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) broke the Alfred University school record in single game strikeouts, surpassing All-American Jessica Wilcox '20, '21 MBA and her 15 set in 2021 against Utica. Bennett broke the record and added one to finish with 17 in the nightcap as the Saxons got the second shutout over Elmira, 5-0.
 
"Excited for the wins and our outstanding senior class. Glad we were able to pull out a weekend sweep for them," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "We need a little rest after a long week, and we will be ready to get back at it on Thursday!"
 
Game One
Alfred University – 8 | Elmira College – 0
 
Bennett got the first win of the day as well as a shared team shutout as she not only pitched, striking out batters six times and only giving up one hit, she also went 2-for-2 from the plate with two RBI and a run.
 
Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) doubled in the first inning to bring home Mya Wells (California, NY/San Ramon) for what would go down as the game-winning score. Bennett's single to right center field in the bottom of the second made it 2-0, sending Kody Watson (Flagstaff, AZ/Coconino).
 
The Saxons piled on five runs in the bottom of the fourth to set them up for a walk-off in the bottom of the fifth, up 7-0. After Wells hit a single just out of reach of the second base player's glove and after she stole second to get into scoring position, Eileen Hein (Chicago, IL/Loyola Academy) doubled to left field to bring Wells home and end the game.
 
The Saxons totaled 15 hits compared to the Soaring Eagles' one. Wells and Abigail Gatza (Burlington, ON, Canada/Assumption Catholic) each had three hits and an RBI. Wells scored three runs while Remm had three RBI to go with Bennett's two. Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL/Forest Hill), Remm, Brielle Wark (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East), Watson and Bennett all scored one run each.
 
Wells, Hein, Remm and Gatza each doubled with Remm hitting two while Watson tripled to add to her impressive weekend. Wells had two stolen bases while Vidal had one.
 
Mikaela Perez (Pomona, CA/Diamond Ranch) was credited with the start but after a lineup change at the plate before the first inning, came in for relief in the final inning, striking out two of the three batters to set Wells and Hein up for the walk-off.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 5 | Elmira College – 0
 
Bennett got the start in the circle in the nightcap as she only gave up two hits while, on her 100^th pitch of the game, recorded her 17^th strikeout in the seventh inning to add to her school record. All three Eagle batters in the seventh were victims to Bennett's arm with the first striking out looking to tie the record at 15, the second to miss swinging for the record and the third looking for the insurance K.
 
The Saxons bats totaled nine hits with one sacrificed fly from Gatza. Vidal stole bas twice and was joined by Remm and Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) who each stole a bag. Gatza had two RBI and a run on her 1-for-2 performance. Neto and Paris Guzman (Santa Fe Springs, CA/Santa Fe) each added an RBI. Vidal scored two runs while Remm, Gatza and Wark each added one.
 
Vidal scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the first when Gatza singled through the left side. Neto and Guzman both singled in the inning to bring home runners, Remm and Gatza, respectively, making it a 3-0 lead for the Saxons. AU tacked on two more runs the following inning.
 
The Saxon defense totaled 12 innings in a row of not giving up a run on the day and the offense did strike out once in the second game.
 
Each senior recorded positive stats on the day as Alexa Woluewich (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream Central) went 2-for-3 in game one and was 1-for-1 in the nightcap and Isabella Orozco (Burbank, CA/Village Christian) had eight putouts in game one.
 
The Saxons have wrapped up their Empire 8 schedule and will now play two non-conference doubleheaders to prepare for the Empire 8 Softball Championships. They will host Buffalo State on Thursday, May 2 and 3:00pm and 5:00pm.