CHESTER, Pa. (Mar. 31, 2015) – Freshman center fielder Katie Sterling (Middletown, Del.) sent two long balls over the right-center field fence as the Widener softball team swept a pair of non-conference games against Immaculata on Tuesday.  The Pride took Game One 5-3 and followed with an 8-0, six-inning win in the second.

With the sweep, Widener improves to 10-2 on the season, while the Mighty Macs dip to 2-10.

The visitors struck first in the opener on a two-run dinger by shortstop Annemarie Bartow.  In the bottom of the third, freshman catcher Taylor Allen (Northeast, Md.) took the first pitch she saw in her collegiate career and sent it into the green in left field for a single. 

The Pride offense was held in-check until the bottom of the fourth when they erupted for four runs highlighted by Sterling's first collegiate homer, a two-run shot with sophomore left fielder Liz Antonucci (Nesconset, N.Y.) aboard.

Each squad added a run in the sixth inning, with Sterling once again scoring Antonucci, this time on an RBI single down the right-field line.

Senior Jamie Williams (South River, N.J.) got the start in the game, tossing 3.1 innings and surrendering just two runs on three hits while fanning three.  Sophomore Alexis Schengrund (Hillsborough, N.J.) secured the win to improve to 6-0 as her 3.2 innings of work produced just one run (unearned) on one hit with seven strikeouts.

Antonucci turned in a 3-for-3 performance, and Sterling chipped in with a 2-for-3 showing with four RBI.

The nightcap was all Widener.  A two-run first, two-run third, three-run fifth, and walk-off run in the sixth via the mercy rule helped the home squad to a sweep.

With two outs and none on in the bottom of the second, sophomore catcher Kristen Kozak (Cinnaminson, N.J.) notched her first-career base knock with a single through the left side.

Sterling sent her second four-bagger of the day out of the park in the bottom of the third to give the blue and gold a 4-0 lead.  She then added another RBI two innings later as she sent a screaming single down the left-field line, bringing junior shortstop Alie Alkins (Aston, Pa.) around to score.

Just needing one run to end the game via mercy rule in the sixth, senior Carissa Harris (Douglassville, Pa.) led off the inning with a walk.  After a pop-up, Harris advanced to second on a wild pitch to set the stage for freshman third baseman Erika Winter (Elkins Park, Pa.).  The rookie's first collegiate hit also resulted in a walk-off as she blasted a single up the middle, allowing Harris to score from second.

Even with this being an offensive onslaught by the Pride, it must be noted the defensive prowess Williams showed at first base in the nightcap.  The senior's height played a huge role in her ability to rob the Mighty Macs of a handful of sure-fire hits.

Another first for the blue and gold, rookie hurler Lindsey Manera (Mount Laurel, N.J.) earned her first start on the rubber and tossed five scoreless innings, surrendering just five hits and two walks for her first career win in the circle.

Alkins and Sterling each registered a 2-for-3 contest.  Sterling added three RBI to bring her total to seven on the night.

The Pride return to Commonwealth action on Thursday as they host Stevenson for a twinbill slated to start at 4 p.m.