(Game 1) / (Game 2)

4/13/08 -- Widener used a big inning in each game to clinch its first trip to the Commonwealth Conference Tournament, topping Albright by a score of 12-2 in both contests.

The Pride (21-9, 5-1 CC) in the first inning of game one scored nine runs by sending 12 hitters to the plate. Sophomore Caitlin Callahan (Franklin Square, NY) delivered the key shot with a three-run homer, her second long ball of the year.

Senior Mallory Meyer (Lansdowne, PA) also posted three RBI and sophomore Steph Connolly (Aston, PA) went 3-for-3 with two doubles, helping the Pride win in five innings. 

Belle Mead, NJ sophomore Kim Dougherty (8-2) was torrid in the circle, yielding just two runs and three hits over five innings. She also posted five strikeouts in recording her fifth straight victory.

Dougherty's only mistakes were solo home runs by Alex Keyes and Gloria Alfonsi. Dana Parolari (0-5) was charged with nine runs and seven hits over 2/3 of an inning for the Lady Lions (6-18, 0-6).

Game two was closer than the score indicated. Albright's Ally Wenrich in the first inning hit an apparent two-run homer, but failed to touch home and was credited with just one RBI.

Wenrich, who pitched 3 1/3 innings in game one, was cruising in the nightcap before she took a line drive off her left arm from junior Rachel O'Leary (Coatesville, PA) in the fourth inning. This helped the Pride scored twice in the frame for a 3-1 lead as freshman Meg Phillips (Aston, PA) lined an RBI single and Connolly scored on the play following a throwing error by catcher Danielle Perlin.

Leading 4-2 entering the sixth, Widener plated eight runs for another mercy-rule win. Krista Cesarine (Ridley Park, PA) lined a three-run double to left and fellow junior Stephanie Caulford (Vineland, NJ) ended it with a three-run homer, her third long ball of the year.

Meyer (9-5) won for the eighth time in 10 decisions, permitting two runs and six hits over six innings with five strikeouts. O'Leary and Phillips had two hits apiece.

Wenrich (3-5) was dealt the loss, allowing two runs and two hits over three innings.

The Pride will play in their first league tournament since the 2000 Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament. The event takes place May 2-3 at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA.

The squad also clinched its seventh 20-win season in school history, all under coach Fred Dohrmann.

Widener on Tuesday hosts Arcadia, beginning at 5:00 pm. This meeting next season will be a conference duel.