PITTSBURGH, PA -- The Redhawks climbed into first place in the AMCC Conference after sweeping Hilbert 8-0, 9-1 in a pair of five innings games on Friday afternoon. La Roche improves to 9-7 on the season and 3-1 in conference play.
Game 1:
Savannah Leonard tossed a scoreless top of the first inning.
The Redhawks stepped it up with two outs in the bottom of the first. Ashley Burford and Andie Lippman reached but two straight outs forced La Roche to change their approach. Savannah Leonard came through with a single into centerfield to score Burford and Lippman. Kelsey Bayer followed with a walk and Devan Smith a single to load the bases. Alexis Medva drew a walk for a 3-0 first inning lead.
Leonard threw a perfect second inning. La Roche backed her up wth a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the inning.
Leonard got out of a jam in the third inning. Hilbert advanced runners from second and third but Aubrie Martin made a nice catch along the fence to end the inning.
Meghan Haynes drew a one out walk in the third and scored on a Burford triple down the left field line. A Lippman ground out gave the Redhawks a 7-0 lead.
Leonard left runners on second and third in the fourth inning. The Redhawks clutch two out hitting continued into the fourth inning. Devan Smith hit a 2-out 3-2 pitch up the middle for an eight run lead.
Leonard tossed a perfect fifth inning to preserve the shutout. She allowed just 2 hits over 5 innings and struck out 6.
Leonard also hit in two while Burford and Lippman scored twice.
Game 2:
Hilbert took a 1-0 lead in the first frame, but the Redhawks answered for four in the second inning.
Leonard and Bayer drew 1-out walks and Devan Smith hit a bunt single to load the bases. Alexa Young drew a walk to tie it at 1-1. Meghan Haynes hit a shot to second base and hustled down the line to break up the double play and score Bayer from third base. Devan Smith advanced home on the bad throw to first base. Haynes made it 4-1 on an error.
La Roche tacked on a run in the third inning. Plato tripled to the right field wall and scored on a Leonard single up the middle.
The Redhawks entered the fifth inning with a 5-1 lead. Medva reached on a fielder's choice while Bayer and Devan Smith followed with a hit by pitch and error.
La Roche took advantage of Hilbert defensive lapses. Haynes reached on an overthrow from the shortstop which allowed both Bayer and Smith to score.
Lippman walked to load the bases and Martin hit a ball to the right field wall to end it.
Bayer and Devan Smith each hit in two. Alex Young picked up her fourth win. She limited Hilbert to just one run on three hits.