Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Kim Murl tossed a three-hit shutout in game one, and Micaela McSpadden was almost as impressive in game two, as host West Chester swept a PSAC East doubleheader from rival Kutztown on South Campus Saturday.
West Chester (26-11, 13-3 PSAC East), ranked 23rd in the country, improved upon its lead in the conference standings while upping its winning streak to five straight. The Golden Rams have now won 13 of their last 14, dating back to March 31. Kutztown fell to 13-18 overall and 5-7 in the conference with its two losses. With the wins, West Chester took the season series, 3 games to 1.
Murl (8-3) was spectacular in the opener, throwing a complete-game, three-hit shutout at the Golden Bears. She kept the ball low and kept the opposition off balance all day. Only two base runners got into scoring position on Murl in the game. She walked three and struck out five over seven innings.
West Chester scored both its runs in the opener in the bottom of the first inning. Murl hit a run-scoring single to right field that plated J.P. Norris, and then Jill Murray singled to left scoring pinch runner Janessa Rios. That proved to be all the Golden Rams would need.
Murray's RBI single chased Kutztown starter Dominique Ficara (9-8), after she threw just 24 pitches and faced six batters. Savannah Nierintz came on in relief and threw 5.1 scoreless innings. She scattered six hits, did not walk a batter and struck out three.
Norris, Murl, Murray and Jess Schuck each went 2-for-3 in the opener.
West Chester used the same formula in game two for its 3-1 win. The Golden Rams put up two runs in their first at bats and never trailed. Norris led off the game with a double to right-center. Murl singled her home, and then Kelly Anderson doubled home Murl for a 2-0 lead.
Kutztown cut the lead in half with its only run of the afternoon in the third inning. However, Schuck hit a run-scoring single in the fourth to re-establish the Rams' two-run advantage.
Anderson, Norris and Laura Altenburger each had two hits in the nightcap.
McSpadden remained perfect on the year with her ninth consecutive win inside the circle. She scattered four hits over seven innings, walking three and striking out three. She induced 17 groundouts against just one flyout.
West Chester travels to Lock Haven for a PSAC East doubleheader on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Golden Rams will then continue its road trip at Mansfield on Monday with a twinbill at 1 p.m. as well.
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