John Carroll used pitching and defense to win the first game, then used pitching an offense to win the second game as the Blue Streaks swept Thiel College, 1-0 and 10-1, Wednesday afternoon at Bracken Field.

The wins push the Blue Sreaks record to 8-4, which is the program's best 12-game start since commencing the 2015 campaign with nine wins against three losses.

"I am proud of the way we fought today," said JCU head coach Nicole Loudin, who earned her 98th and 99th wins as the head coach of the JCU softball program today. "The pitchers were dominant and composed, the batters stayed patient and poised, and we had a great approach in game two. The defense was solid, and our bench brought the energy in the cold as well. It was thoroughly a team effort."

Game 1 – John Carroll 1, Thiel 0

Game one of John Carroll's home opener against Thiel College was a pitcher's duel right from the start, with both teams scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning.

Freshman Emma Gurley changed the pace, hitting a double to far right field, sending pinch runner Hannah Vinci home to give the Streaks the 1-0 lead.

It would be the lone tally of the contest, but not for lack of trying.

Senior Jessica Cook was nearly perfect, allowing just three hits (two in the first inning, one in the seventh) and no runs to score, all while recording three strikeouts. The Blue Streaks defense stayed strong through all seven innings having just one error.


Game 2 - John Carroll 10, Thiel 1 (5 innings)

Ending the first game of two against Thiel in 72 minutes, the Streaks wasted no time in getting back on the field.

The second game would last almost just as long, covering less than five full innings.

After being held off the scoreboard in the opener, Thiel would score first in the second game. On a 3-2 count, senior Miranda Reesman belted a home run to left center in the top of the second inning to put the Tomcats in front for the first time all day. Thiel would get two more runners in scoring position that inning but Jenn Patterson got out of trouble.

This small lead was enough to start a fire within the Blue Streaks. With Caitlin Fitzsimmons on first and Kristen Jesberger on third in the bottom of the second, Olivia Schweiger scored Jesberger off of a double to left center. Right after, freshman Crista Nativio hit a double down the left field line, pushing both Schweiger and Fitzsimmons across home plate.

The inning wasn't done there. With a double to center field from Lindsay McKnight, Nativio scored. After that, Elizabeth Fraas hit a double to left center, scoring McKnight. With yet another double for the inning, Emma Gurley scored Fraas. John Carroll took the lead 6-1.

After taking a scoring breather in the third inning, the Streaks put the game out of reach in the fourth. With bases loaded, Lindsay McKnight and Elizabeth Fraas drew RBI walks. Quinn Sobieszczanski then had an RBI single, and would later steal second which allowed Gurley to scamper home for the final tally of the evening for JCU. The Blue Streaks lengthened their lead against Tomcats, 10-1.

Elizabeth O'Grady came to the plate for Patterson to put an end to the game, getting all three outs needed for the Blue Streaks' victory. Patterson improved to 5-1 on the season with the win.

Gurley has now reached base safely in 11 consecutive games. 

The Blue & Gold moved to 8-4 on the season with the sweep, and extended their winning streak to four games.

John Carroll will be back at Bracken Field on Saturday, March 23rd for another doubleheader against the Crusaders of Capital University. The first game will be at 1:00 pm with the second one following at 3:00 pm.