ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University softball team totaled 25 runs in just 10 innings of play on Sunday in a doubleheader sweep of Nazareth University at Harrington Field in Empire 8 action.
 
The Saxons (10-8, 2-2 Empire 8) had back-to-back five-inning wins as they mercy-ruled the Golden Flyers (2-14, 0-2 Empire 8) 14-5 in game one and then again, 11-3 in game two off a walk-off home run from Paris Guzman (Santa Fe Springs, CA/Santa Fe).
 
"Today was a great rebound day from our sloppy play yesterday. I was very proud of the girls for responding the way they did and we got the bats going early and often," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "We have to clean up some things on defense that need addressed immediately so we can move forward and continue being competitive in our conference. But overall, I was very happy with our performance today and we look forward to a tough schedule this week."
 
Game One
Alfred University – 14 | Nazareth University – 5
 
Naz opened up the scoring with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. The Saxons responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning as Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) drove home Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL/Forest Hill) for the 2-1 Flyer lead. Abigail Gatza (Burlington, ON, Canada/Assumption Catholic) doubled to right center field to bring Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) and Neto home for the 3-2 lead. Guzman flied out to center field which gave Gatza time to tag up and score for the sacrificed fly and the 4-2 lead.
 
Nazareth tied the game up in the next inning before the scoring floodgates opened for AU. The Saxons scored five runs in each of the second and third innings to pull away, 14-4 before a late, Naz run came in.
 
Six Saxons recorded RBI in the contest with Gatza leading the way, totaling four RBI and three runs on a 2-for-2 performance from the plate. Gatza, along with Wells and Jade Rhys Babas (Fairfield, CA/Angelo Rodriguez) all recorded doubles in the game to go along with Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) and her triple. Both Remm and Guzman had three RBI with Remm scoring twice. Wells totaled two RBI and three runs as she broke the Alfred University school record for career RBI, breaking All-American Liz Thompson '17 and her 127 career mark. Neto and Isabella Orozco (Burbank, CA/Village Christian) both tacked on an RBI with Neto scoring three runs. Babas scored two runs on a 2-for-2 showing from the plate while Vidal scored one run.
 
Both Neto and Babas recorded stolen bases in the opening game.
 
Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) picked up the win for the Saxons inside of the pitching circle. Striking out six batters on 86 pitches. It was her seventh win of the year.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 11 | Nazareth University – 3
 
The nightcap had a similar start with the Golden Flyers scoring in the opening inning, putting two up at the top of the first. Wells added another RBI in the bottom of the inning to put the Saxons on the scoreboard, sending Vidal across the plate. Wells got home next off a bad play by the Nazareth short stop who tried to get Gatza at first base, tying the game at 2-2.
 
The Golden Flyers scored once more in the top of the third before AU saw its first lead of the game and pulled ahead. With bases loaded, Orozco hit a chopped shot back at the Naz pitcher, who, having the ball in her glove dropped in while trying to turn to first, giving Neto time to get home safely and keep the bases loaded with Saxons players, tying the game, 3-3. Gatza scored on a passed ball during the next at-bat to take the 4-3 lead. The Saxon defense, led by Kendall Steward (Kennedy, NY/Randolph) didn't give up another run the remainder of the game.
 
Gatza drove Wells home again in the bottom of the fourth inning for a 5-3 lead.
 
With the game looking closer than the first and the possibility of a sixth inning, after the Steward-led defense shut out the Golden Flyers in the fourth and fifth innings, the Saxon bats got hot again in the bottom of the inning. They scored six runs in total for the closing victory.
 
Babas scored after a throwing error by the second base player for Naz gave her time to round third and cross home plate for the 6-3 lead. Brielle Wark (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East), who was on base because of the previous error, took advantage of the mistake to score when Wells doubled to right center field but was out on the play at third base, but not before Wark and Vidal scored for the 8-3 lead. Neto scored the Saxons' ninth run after Naz center fielder dropped a high fly ball from Remm. Remm stole second but it didn't matter as Guzman smacked a homer over the right field fence that got to the fence protecting balls from dropping into the Canacadea Creek. The two-run homer sent both teams off the field as the Saxons completed the Sunday sweep.
 
Wells led the way with a 3-for-4 showing, three RBI and two runs. Gatza was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run. Guzman's home run credited her with her two RBI and one run. Remm and Orozco each had an RBI. Eight Saxon batters each scored a run in the nightcap win with Vidal and Neto joining Wells with two. Gatza, Remm, Guzman, Babas and Wark each had one run.
 
The Saxons stole bases six times with Vidal and Remm both having two and were joined by Wells and Wark with one each. Neto was hit-by-pitches twice.
 
Steward pitched all 5.0 innings with one strikeout, picking up her second win of the season.
 
The Saxons will next travel for six games in a row, starting with four non-conference doubleheaders. The first will be at Ithaca College on Tuesday, April 9 at 3:00pm and 5:00pm.