Saturday, March 31, 2012

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Westminster College softball team swept Thomas More in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opening series to make it six consecutive wins. The Lady Titans won the first game 5-2 and the nightcap 7-5. Westminster improved to 10-10 on the season and 2-0 in the PAC. The Saint dropped to 12-10 overall and to 0-2 in the PAC.

In game one, Westminster jumped out to a 4-0 lead when junior shortstop Katie Hughes (Boardman, OH / Cardinal Mooney) belted a grand slam to deep center to score sophomore second baseman Kelsey Squelch (Pittsburgh, PA / Perry Traditional), junior catcher Olet Stasko (McDonald, PA / West Allegheny), and sophomore first baseman Lauren Stocyznski (Erie, PA / Harbor Creek).

The Lady Titans weren't done there, senior third baseman Erica Kimmick (Parma, OH / Cuyahoga Heights) walked, and then freshman outfielder Carly Wallock (DuBois, PA / DuBois) had an infield single. After junior pitcher Chelsea Brown (New Castle, PA / Mohawk) advanced the runners on a ground out, junior outfielder Brittany Gamble (Poland, OH / Poland Seminary) knocked in a run with a bunt single to lead 5-0.

The Saints threatened in the bottom of the seventh as they scored two runs, but the five runs would be enough in game one. Brown (6-4) pitched a complete game and struck out four.

Stasko led Westminster with three hits in the first game, Squelch also chipped in with two hits.

In the nightcap, Thomas More struck first with three runs in the top of the third inning. However, Westminster fired back with five runs off four hits in the fifth inning, including a three-run homerun from Lauren Stocyznski.

The Saints responded with two runs in the sixth inning to tie the game at five. In the top of the seventh inning Westminster scored two more runs to lead 7-5.

Olet Stasko started off the seventh inning with a single and advanced to second after a ground out. With two outs, junior designated hitter Layne Carpenter (Marietta, OH / Marietta) came through in the clutch again with the go-ahead RBI, as she doubled to right center. Erica Kimmick plated Carpenter with a single to left field.

Three different Lady Titans pitched in the second game. Carly Wallock started and pitched three innings. Freshman Carly Leffakis (Pittsburgh, PA / North Catholic) pitched two scoreless innings of relief and Chelsea Brown (7-4) pitched the final two innings to earn her second win of the day.

Westminster looks to extend its winning streak on Tuesday at Washington and Jefferson, first pitch scheduled for 3:30pm.

About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College ranks first in the nation as "Best College for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math," according to Forbes.com. Westminster, a top-tier liberal arts college, ranks third in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster ranked 6th among liberal arts colleges in social mobility, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 376 Colleges" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 42 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.