In their first game action since spring break, the 2010 Eastern University softball struggled early on but found a way to earn a sweep in non-conference action.

In the first game, Carly Rawlings stole the show for Eastern. The Eagles fell behind early on to the visiting Diplomats 3-0 in the top of the third inning. However, junior Amy Bellows 2 RBI single kept Eastern in the hunt. 

F&M answered in the top of the sixth adding two runs on three hits. Down 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Eastern loaded the bases on a single by junior first baseman Michele Morongell, a walk by pinch hitter Molly Oberholzer and a pinch hit single by Jaime Schwartz. Rawlings ripped the 3-2 offering and deposited it over the centerfield fence to put the Eagles up 6-5. Eastern did not stop there as they tacked on an insurance run off of back to back doubles by Theresa Esposito and Janelle Fair, making the score 7-5.

The Diplomats made it interesting however, putting their first two batters on base in the top of the 7th. Fair was able to shut the door and kept F&M from scoring. The freshman righty fanned 12 in seven innings of work to pick up her third win of 2010.

"Obviously Carly's grand slam was the story of the game for us," remarked head coach Brittany Stroop. "Janelle did not have her best stuff today but was still able to find a way to keep us in a position to win the ball game." 

Despite finding themselves down 2-0 in the bottom half of the first inning of the second game, the Eagles continued to pound out hits and add on runs. Eastern used a seven run second inning to propel them to a 13-7 daylight-shortened victory.

Oberholzer paced the offense in the second game going 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and one RBI, including two key hits in the seven run second. Sophomore short stop Maggie McGowan, sophomore second baseman Jaclyn Gangemi, Rawlings, and Fair ended game two with two hits a piece. Junior Kristine Rosko picked up the win, striking out three in six innings of work. 

"These were nice wins for us today," said Stroop. "We're really trying to build momentum going into our conference season which starts on Saturday. We need to improve on closing out games defensively, and the 4-6-3 double play turned by Maggie and Jaclyn late in the second game was a step in the right direction."

Eastern will travel to Manhattanville College on Saturday as they open up their Freedom Conference season. Game time is set for 12:00 PM. The Eagles will then return home for the non-conference makeup game against Haverford College on Tuesday, March 23 at 3:00 PM.

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