Home Run Derby Helps Softball to Doubleheader Sweep of Hood

(Game 1) / (Game 2)

If you remember the 1960s TV show "Home Run Derby," then you can relate to the hitting clinic Widener put on today.

Freshman Angela Hood (Mullica Twp., NJ), Heather Forward (Philadelphia, PA) and fellow sophomore Alie Alkins (Aston, PA) hit consecutive home runs in the fifth inning of game two, leading host Widener to a 5-1 Commonwealth Conference victory over Hood after the home team opened with a 9-4 triumph.

Hood in game one forged a 4-4 tie in the top of the fifth when Ashley Fourcade lined a two-run homer over the left-field fence. But Widener answered with a run in the bottom of the frame when sophomore Bree Vanreenen (Elkton, MD) roped an RBI single to center for a 5-4 lead.

The Pride then plated four in the sixth for the final. Alkins had an RBI fielder's choice, Forward stole home, sophomore Taylor Church (Glen Mills, PA) lined an RBI single and Vanreenen had a run-scoring single.

Chalfont, PA freshman Ally Horvath (4-0) tossed her third straight complete game, striking out five and allowing four runs and seven hits over seven innings. Alkins had three RBI with Hood and Vanreenen getting three hits apiece.

Keerstie Robinson (7-7) was tagged for nine runs – five earned – and 13 hits over six innings for the Blazers. Carly Farr had two hits.

The fifth inning proved to be the difference in game two when the trio all came through with one out. For Hood, it was her team-leading third home run of the season and Alkins' long ball ended the scoring.

Hood in the seventh inning loaded the bases with one out and had the tying run at the plate. But Carly Farr fouled out to third base and Fourcade struck a liner that Vanreenen plucked at second base.

Chesapeake, VA freshman Devin Coyne (1-0) got her first collegiate victory, allowing two hits over four scoreless innings. Freshman Alexis Schengrund (Hillsborough, NJ) struck out five over the first three innings and has 78 strikeouts, now the eighth-best single-season total in school history.

Senior Jackie Korang (Delran, NJ) had two RBI with Alkins and Church getting two hits apiece for Widener, which closed the game with 13. Alkins now has an 11-game hitting streak, one short of her career high.

Jennifer Rutherford (6-6) allowed five runs and eight hits over six innings for the Blazers (13-15, 1-11 CC) and Farr had two hits.

Widener (17-7, 7-5) vaulted into fourth place in the conference, three games ahead of Albright (4-8) for the final league tournament spot.

The wins propelled Widener coach Fred Dohrmann to a career record of 534-462 over 996 games. He is two victories shy of tying former men's basketball coach C. Alan Rowe for the most wins by any Pride coach in one sport.

Widener is home Tuesday against Alvernia at 4:00 pm for a league doubleheader. A sweep will put the Pride back in the conference tournament for the first time since 2010 and tie Dohrmann with Rowe for the most wins.

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