Box Scores:  Game 1 vs. Mount Union  /  Game 2 vs. Mount Union

John Carroll used the momentum gained from winning a marathon opening game to complete a sweep of Mount Union in Ohio Athletic Conference softball action Wednesday at 23rd Street Field in Alliance, Ohio.

It took ten innings for the first game of the doubleheader to be decided, with JCU prevailing by a 1-0 score. The second game lasted the regulation seven innings, with the Blue Streaks ending up on the high side of an 8-4 score.

For the Blue Streaks, the sweep of Mount Union was just the second in the history of the series and the first since 1992.

Mount Union certainly had the better chances. While John Carroll advanced a runner to second base just three times in the first nine innings, the Purple Raiders continually stranded runners throughout as they were unable to get the key hit off Blue Streak starter Brittany Danilov.

In the second inning, Mount Union had bases loaded and one out, but Danilov recorded a strikeout and then induced a pop out. In the fourth inning, the Purple Raiders had runners at second and third but could not deliver a two-out hit.

John Carroll would finally break through in the tenth inning. Michelle Murphy started off with a double, but the next two batters struck out. With two outs, Julie Marlowe delivered the only RBI hit of the contest, as her single scored Murphy from second for a 1-0 lead.

The Purple Raiders had yet another look in the bottom of the tenth but did not cash it in. They collected three hits but could not get a base runner to third.

Danilov gave up 12 hits and struck out five while walking two in improving to 9-3 on the year. Devon Butler was the hard luck loser for Mount Union, allowing seven hits and the one run while striking out six.

In game two, Mount Union scored right away in the bottom of the first, but Marlowe came through in the top of the second with an RBI single to tie the game, and Murphy followed with a two RBI double for a 3-1 lead.

After the Purple Raiders closed to within 3-2, John Carroll would plate four runs on five hits in the fifth to break the contest wide open. RBI hits by Jamie Smrdel, Laura Boselovic and Angela Vistocco would give the Streaks a 7-2 advantage.

Danilov worked four innings of relief to pick up the victory.

John Carroll is now 14-4 overall and 3-1 in the OAC, while Mount Union falls to 14-10 overall and 2-2 in league play