The University of Mary Washington softball team gained a pair of victories at the Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference Tournament in Waukesha, Wisc. on Friday, topping Finlandia University, 9-0 in five innings, and then topping Southern Virginia, 8-1. The Eagles improve to 13-17 on the season, and will advance to Saturday.
In the opener, the Eagles erupted for five runs in the first, three in the second, and one in the third. In the bottom of the first, Maggie Mrowka doubled and scored on a Caroline Bird single. Rachel Porchie followed with a single and both runners moved up a base on the play. Bridget Laychak connected for a two-run single to put the Eagles ahead, 3-0.
Emma Schieda reached on an error, and runners were on second and third when Grace Drury wwalked to load the bases. A single from Morgan Gilbert and a fielder's choice from Hadlea Valera plated two more runs.
In the second, Bird singled and Porchie doubled prior to a two-run single from Shieda to run the score to 7-0. Drury provided an RBI double for another run. The Eagles scored their ninth run on a solo home run from Bird in the third.
Bird led UMW with two singles, a homer, three runs scored, and two RBI. Porchie added a single and double. Caitlyn Burch gained the win, allowing no runs on two hits in three innings, with a walk and three strikeouts. Valera added two innings of hitless relief with two strikeouts.
In game two, the Eagles used four-run innings in the first and third for an 8-1 win. In the opening frame, Mrowka led off with a home run to get the offense going. Two runs scored on fielder's choices before Amina Shakir provided an RBI single.
In the third, a pair of errors led to the first run, and RBI singles from Bird and Laychak and an RBI double from Porchie provided Burch all the support she would need.
Laychak had three hits, while Mrowka singled and homered for UMW, while Porchie singled and doubled. Burch went the distance, allowing one unearned run on four hits in seven innings, with one walk and six strikeouts.
The Eagles will face Christopher Newport on Saturday at 11:00 Eastern time.