CLERMONT, FL – The Alfred University softball team swept #17 nationally-ranked Berry College (GA) and North Central College (IL) on Thursday afternoon during its second-to-last day in Florida.

The Saxons (7-1, 0-0 Empire 8) took down the nationally-ranked Berry in five innings, 10-2 and closed out the day with a close matchup with North Central, winning in eight innings, 3-1. "Today was just a great day to be a Saxon," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "We were able to take down a Top-25 team and win a close one against a really good North Central team. Hats off to Coach Cassie Reed - for those that watched the game, understand the importance of her role today. We are getting a little beat up but hope to have enough gas left in the tank to play well and with high intensity tomorrow. Timely hitting, patience and just all around gritty performances from the entire team have made this week what it is. We aren't done yet, but super proud of where we are!"


Game One (5 Innings)
Alfred University – 10 | #17 Berry College (Ga.) – 2

The Saxons capitalized in the bottom of the fifth inning as they scored six of their 10 runs, retiring the contest and upsetting the nationally-ranked program. AU was first on the board when Abigail Gatza (Burlington, ON, Canada/Assumption Catholic) doubled down the left field line to send Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) home for the 1-0 lead after three innings. Berry responded with a two-run top of the fourth inning and the Saxon defense shut them down for the rest of the short game.

A big defensive mishap from the Vikings and great base-running from the Saxons in the bottom of the fourth tied the game, 2-2, when Delaney Prather (North East, PA/North East) reached first on a throwing error by the Berry pitcher, giving Brielle Wark (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) time to not only advance to second base as the sacrificed bunt attempt was designed for, but time to get to third base as well. Another bad defensive effort in the same play from the Berry right fielder, not only resulted in Wark being safe at third, but opened the opportunity to get up and sprint home for the tying run.

The Saxons pulled ahead when Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL/Forest Hill) ground out to second, sending Prather home for the unearned run and 3-2 lead. Remm closed the inning when she also grounded out, but picked up the RBI when Alexis Martinez (Anaheim, CA/Woodbridge) sprinted home for the 4-2 lead.

The floodgates opened in the bottom of the fifth inning as everything went Alfred's way. Paris Guzman (Santa Fe Springs, CA/Santa Fe) put a shot towards the short stop, giving her the free path to first base as the Berry infielder attempted to throw out Sabrina Diaz (West Palm Beach, FL/Forest Hill) at home. The first-year touched home plate before the tag could get her for the 5-2 lead as Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) advanced to third base on the play.

Prather continued with a singe to third base to bring home Neto, making it 6-2. Vidal then singled through the right side, pushing Guzman across home plate for the 7-2 lead. Remm upped the lead to six runs when she singled to second base, scoring Prather. With the bases loaded, Molly Whitmyer (Enola, PA/Trinity) walked to pick up the RBI as Martinez made it a 9-2 Saxon lead. Gatza ended the game when she got on base for from a fielder's choice, as she drove a shot to the Berry third base player who gathered it and stepped on third base to get the force-out of Remm. During which, Vidal sprinted home for the 10-2 lead and ended the game.

Kendall Steward (Kennedy, NY/Randolph) pitched all five innings to pick up her fourth win of the year.

Vidal, Remm and Gatza each had two hits and two RBI to lead Alfred University.


Game Two (8 Innings)
North Central College (Ill.) – 1 | Alfred University – 3

The Saxons and Cardinals were scoreless until the seventh inning when Martinez scored on a fielder's choice as Gatza recorded the RBI. North Central responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to force extra innings.

Ally Boulger (Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak) started the top of the eighth inning off on second base, as part of the international tiebreaker. Remm sent her and Vidal home on a single to right field for the 3-1 lead and ultimate game-winning score. Steward came in for relief of Loretta Sorochty (Batavia, NY/Nortre Dame Batavia) and picked up her fifth win of the season with two strikeouts.

The Saxons will next close out their stay in Florida with another nationally-ranked program in Gettysburg College on Friday, March 14 at 9:30am at the Miss Softball Complex in Bartow, FL. Later, they play Wittenberg University at 2:15pm.