ELSAH, Ill. – The Webster University softball team was back in action this afternoon when they traveled to Elsah, Illinois, to take on the Principia (Ill.) College Panthers for a SLIAC doubleheader. The Gorloks swept the Panthers as they won the first game by a final score of 8-0 (5 inn.) and the second game by a final score of 31-0 (5 inn.) to improve to 6-9 on the season and 2-2 in SLIAC play. With the sweep, the Panthers fall to 0-12 on the season and 0-8 in conference play.

The Gorloks put together nine hits in their first game of the day. After going scoreless through the first two innings, Webster picked it up in the third as they rallied for two runs in the inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead. The Gorloks continued to put the ball in play as the game progressed and were able to rally for three runs in the top of the fourth thanks an RBI single from Alyssa Lyell and a two-run single from Aven Ragwar-Hayes. Webster rallied for three more runs in the top of the fifth, including a solo homerun from Paige Thomas, and picked up the final outs of the game to solidify the win.

Reese Waggoner (2-0) was the starting pitcher in this one as she allowed just one hit while striking out six in 4.0 scoreless innings. Arianna Arias pitched in relief as she struck out one while not allowing a hit in the final inning.

Paige Thomas led the way at the plate as she went 2-for-3 with a solo homerun (1). Jaelin Holdaway also had a multi-hit game as she went 2-for-2 with two runs scored. In addition, Alyssa Lyell went 1-for-2 with an RBI, Aven Ragwar-Hayes went 1-for-2 with two RBI, and Katie Croxall went 1-for-3 with an RBI to round out the top performers for the Gorloks.

The Gorloks carried over their momentum into the second game as they put together 24 hits in the contest. They got on the board early and often as they rallied for 12 runs in the top of the first to jump out to a 12-0 lead. They added to their lead over the next two innings as they rallied for five runs in the top of the second and five runs in the top of the third to extend their lead to 22-0. They added nine more runs in the final two innings and closed out the Panthers down the stretch to complete the two-game sweep. The Gorloks 31 runs scored is the second most runs scored in a single game in program history.

Sarah Shepard (2-5) was the starting pitcher in this one as she did not allow a hit while striking out three in 1.0 inning. Braidyn Burr came in to relieve Shepard as she allowed just two hits while striking out seven in the final 4.0 innings of the game.

Katie Croxall and Emma Bovaconti both had great games as they both went 5-for-6 with Croxall recording three RBI and five runs scored and Bovaconti recording two RBI and six runs scored. Chloe Johnson and Sheldon Underwood both played well as Johnson finished four RBI and Underwood finished with three RBI. In addition, Alyssa Lyell and Becka Brissette each finished with two RBI while Sheyla Iniguez, Taylor Jackson, Sidney Holtz, and Emma Steltzer each added an RBI to round out the top performers for Webster.

The Gorloks return to the field tomorrow, April 10^th for their home opening doubleheader against Westminster (Mo.) College. The SLIAC doubleheader is set to start at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph's Academy.