The visiting Eagles made the most of their at bats and plate appearances to down PBU 11-4 and 10-1 in non-conference action.
Eastern's offense was dominant in game one. Maggie McGowan jump started the attack in the top of the second inning with a double to right center. Janelle Fair was hit by a pitch. Both McGowan and Fair moved up a base on a passed ball, setting up a sacrifice fly by Molly Oberholzer. Jaclyn Gangemi kept the attack going with an RBI single, scoring Fair. Gangemi would eventually come around to score on a passed ball, giving the Eagles a 3-0 lead.
Gangemi came up big again for the Eagles in the top of the third on a 2 RBI double to center. PBU responded in the bottom half of the third, picking up a run of their own.
Eastern picked up two more runs in the top of the fourth behind an RBI single by Oberholzer. The second run of the inning came off the bat of Gangemi, who drove a ball deep to center for a sacrifice fly and her fourth RBI of the game.
The hosts picked up two more runs in the bottom of the fifth and another in the bottom of the seventh, but it was not enough as Eastern was able to put the game out of reach with four runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Junior right hander Kristine Rosko took the win. Rosko pitched five innings and allowed three runs and scattered three hits. McGowan pitched two innings in relief, allowing one run and striking out one.
In the second game, Eastern's plate discipline was the difference maker. The Eagles tallied eleven walks in the game and made the most of their three hits to put PBU away in five innings.
Valerie Heffline paced the offense in game two. The junior from Pottstown, Pa. picked up a key RBI single to keep the inning going in Eastern's three-run top half of the third. Also collecting hits for the Eagles were Fair and Theresa Esposito.
Fair picked up her fourth win of the season on the mound in game two. The freshman scattered five hits and gave up only one run while striking out six.
"This was a great sweep for us," remarked head coach Brittany Stroop following the double header. "Not only was it good for us to get our offense going, but we also learned a lot about plate discipline and how to make the most of our offense. One of the things we've struggled with all year has not been getting hits, but getting hits with runners on base. We were able to do that effectively today."
Eastern returns to their home field for the first time in two weeks on Thursday afternoon. The Eagles face off against reigning National Champions, Messiah College at 3:00 PM.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
